Washington (CNN) Sen. Joe Manchin, a moderate Democrat from a state President Donald Trump won in 2016, said Wednesday that he's open to having Hunter Biden as a witness in Trump's Senate impeachment trial, a position that puts him at odds with his Democratic colleagues.

"I want witnesses. I definitely want witnesses and evidence. The only thing I've said is that there should be an adult in the room and that's Chief Justice (John) Roberts. We should vote again on Chief Justice Roberts being able to determine who is pertinent," he told reporters on Capitol Hill. "If Hunter Biden would be one of the people that Justice Roberts says is pertinent to the evidence or to the trial, then absolutely."

During an interview with MSNBC earlier Wednesday, Manchin, who represents West Virginia, was asked if he viewed Hunter Biden as a relevant witness.

"You know, I think so. I really do," he replied. "I don't have a problem there, because this is why we are where we are. Now, I think that he could clear himself, of what I know and what I've heard.

"But being afraid to put anybody that might have pertinent information is wrong no matter if you're a Democrat or Republican," Manchin said.

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