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(CNSNews.com) – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) disputed the notion that President Donald Trump was given every opportunity to provide exculpatory evidence in the impeachment trial, but chose not to.



“No, he hasn't. No, he hasn't,” Kennedy said on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, and he accused House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) of rigging the impeachment inquiry process.



“Rounds one and two by Speaker Pelosi and Chairman Schiff are as rigged as a carnival ring toss, and we both know that. If I were a prosecutor and I were prosecuting you for a felony, and I went to a federal judge and I said, ‘Judge, we both know Chuck's guilty. So, let me call witnesses. Give me an order that he can't call any witnesses. He can't cross-examine my witnesses. He can't offer any rebuttal evidence. His lawyer can't even be there,’ you know what that federal judge would do?” the senator said.



“He'd either put me in handcuffs or he'd put me in a straightjacket, because I'd be sanctioned,” Kennedy added.



“But Senator, this White House has not cooperated on any oversight at all. Have they not brought some of this upon themselves?” NBC’s Chuck Todd asked.



“Have they allowed the president to call his own witnesses? No. Have they allowed him to have his lawyer present? No. Have they allowed him to offer rebuttal evidence? No. Have they allowed him to cross-examine the witnesses that were hand-picked by Speaker Pelosi? No. Now, whether you like the president or you don't, we both, I know, agree with due process. Nobody is above the law, Chuck, but nobody's beneath the law, and the Bill of Rights is not an à la carte menu. It's not,” Kennedy said.