Sen. Ed Markey Edward (Ed) John MarkeySchumer: 'Nothing is off the table' if GOP moves forward with Ginsburg replacement Democrats see fundraising spike following Ginsburg death Democratic senator calls for eliminating filibuster, expanding Supreme Court if GOP fills vacancy MORE (D-Mass.) on Wednesday dismissed his Democratic colleague Sen. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinNames to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Gardner on court vacancy: Country needs to mourn Ginsburg 'before the politics begin' MORE’s (W.Va.) claim that Hunter Biden is a “relevant” witness as part of President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE’s impeachment trial.

Markey echoed comments largely made throughout his caucus, noting that former Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll GOP set to release controversial Biden report Can Donald Trump maintain new momentum until this November? MORE's son does not have knowledge of Trump’s decisions at the core of the allegations central to the impeachment charges.

“I disagree,” Markey said Wednesday on CNN, in reference to the comments Manchin made earlier. “Hunter Biden is not on trial, Joe Biden is not on trial. Donald Trump is on trial.”

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“Hunter Biden doesn't have any relevant — and that's the key word — relevant information about anything that Donald Trump was doing to extort an investigation of the Biden family out of the Ukraine government in return for $391 million worth of American taxpayer national security aid.”

“Hunter Biden is not on trial. Joe Biden is not on trial. Donald Trump is on trial.” @SenMarkey says he disagrees with fellow Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin’s comments that Hunter Biden is a relevant witness in the impeachment trial. https://t.co/b2Dk2S1iP4 pic.twitter.com/oQR7HweRjS — CNN Newsroom (@CNNnewsroom) January 29, 2020

Manchin, in an appearance on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” said that he does think Hunter Biden is a relevant witness.

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Some Republicans have floated the idea of trading testimony from Biden for witnesses the Democrats are pushing for, including former national security adviser John Bolton John BoltonDiplomacy with China is good for America The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - Pence lauds Harris as 'experienced debater'; Trump, Biden diverge over debate prep DOJ launches probe into Bolton book for possible classified information disclosures MORE.

Markey said the idea of Biden testifying is a “red herring” put out by Trump’s defense team.

“Again it's just not relevant and it's a way to distract and ultimately to deny the factual core of the charges made against Trump,” Markey said.

A vote on whether to allow witnesses during the trial is expected on Friday. If all Democrats vote in favor of the measure, they will need at least four Republicans to join them in order for it to pass.

Several Republicans have signaled they may vote to hear from witnesses, especially in wake of a New York Times report Sunday night on Bolton’s manuscript of his forthcoming memoir.

Trump's former national security adviser reportedly claims that the president tied military aid to Ukraine directly to investigations into the Bidens, backing the allegations at the core of the impeachment charges.