Republicans push for a speedy end to trial

Senator Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, and other Republicans sound increasingly confident that they have the votes needed to block witnesses and bring President Trump’s impeachment trial to an end as soon as Friday.

They’ve offered multiple rationales for refusing fresh testimony, but our chief Washington correspondent says that Republicans are worried that hearing from John Bolton, the former national security adviser, would lead to a cascade of other witnesses. That would tie up the Senate indefinitely when Mr. Trump’s acquittal is not in doubt.

On Wednesday, the Senate began a two-day question-and-answer session with the House impeachment managers and the president’s legal team. Here are six takeaways.

Closer look: One of Mr. Trump’s lawyers, Alan Dershowitz, offered a strikingly broad defense, arguing that a president cannot be removed from office for actions to improve re-election prospects if he believes his re-election is in the national interest.

“Every public official I know believes that his election is in the public interest,” Mr. Dershowitz said. “Mostly, you’re right.” Our congressional editor discussed his comments on The Latest, our podcast about the impeachment investigation.