House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered a confusing take on the potential of President Donald Trump being acquitted by the United States Senate even as Democrats face the inevitable.

The California Democrat seemed to be living in an altered reality when she vowed Trump would “not be acquitted” during her Thursday press briefing.



(Source: CSPAN)

Speculation swirled Thursday about witnesses not being allowed to testify in the Senate trial as key lawmakers indicated they would be voting against extending the trial by issuing subpoenas for more witnesses and testimony. GOP Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee later said he would vote against allowing witnesses during the impeachment trial, leaving Democrats hanging on other pivotal Republican senators who could side with them.

Collins, Romney reportedly jump ship, one swing vote holds the line for McConnell on impeachment https://t.co/vFVoLI7NZ8 pic.twitter.com/T8ix72hAWh — Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) January 31, 2020

Pelosi was asked at her earlier press conference about Trump’s demeanor once the impeachment trial against him in the Senate concludes.

“When this is over, do you think that President Trump will understand that he’s got a Congress watching this? Or will he be emboldened because the Senate will have acquitted him?” a reporter asked the Democrat leader.

“Well, he will not be acquitted,” she announced, even as her party stares defeat in the face.

“You cannot be acquitted if you don’t have a trial. You don’t have a trial if you don’t have witnesses and documentation and all of that,” she asserted.

Pelosi’s remarks then drifted to talk about Chief Justice John Roberts who is presiding over the Senate trial and will be the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

“I would hope that the senators, if it comes to a tie or if there’s a question of hearing testimony or receiving documents would leave it up to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,” she said. “I would think that they would have confidence in the Chief Justice of the United States, that is really his title. And that’s interesting to me that they’re afraid of a breaking the tie with the Chief Justice of the United States.”

Roberts was caught in the middle of an awkward moment Thursday as 2020 contender Sen. Elizabeth Warren posted a written question on his credibility which he had to read aloud.

“Does the President know right from wrong? I don’t think so,” Pelosi concluded after her rambling response Thursday.

This from the same woman who smugly fist-bumped Bill Maher earlier this month after claiming impeachment was a “solemn,” “serious” and “sad” event.

“You are impeached forever,” she announced. “No matter what the Senate does, it can never be erased.”

Way to be somber! Nancy Pelosi fist-bumps Bill Maher over impeachment https://t.co/v5VjfGIYqS — Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) January 19, 2020

In an interview with ABC News on Sunday, Pelosi warned that Republicans had to allow more testimony or “pay a price.”

“It’s about a fair trial. They take an oath to have a fair trial. We think that would include witnesses and documentation. The ball is now in their court, so either do that or pay a price,” she said.

Speaker Pelosi says Senate Republicans must let witnesses Testify or they will “Pay a Price”. pic.twitter.com/I0J7lwZRrn — Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 27, 2020

Pelosi’s string of confusing statements amid the impeachment efforts against Trump included her pronouncement that the process is “not a question of saying proof, it says what allegations have been made.”

Her word salad Thursday on Trump’s possible acquittal sparked a wave of reactions on social media.

By Pelosi’s standard, he was never impeached, since you can’t have an impeachment without the key witnesses and documentation. So good news everyone: nothing has happened at all. https://t.co/jsQ79w6Vmn — Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) January 30, 2020

Lucky for us all, her opinion of the meaning of acquittal is absolutely and totally irrelevant. — schiff’s eyeballs (@HotMommaCita11) January 31, 2020

What happened to “He is impeached FOREVER?!” ? — Tim Lajoie (@Tim_Lajoie_ME) January 30, 2020

So democrats have done absolutely nothing for 3 years — Steve V (@SteveVracer86) January 30, 2020

Great! What are we currently up to? 500 million for nothing? — JustAnotherAeon ??❌ (@DeplorableAeon) January 30, 2020

Sorry lady but if he’s acquitted, he will be acquitted FOREVER! Just an FYI. — Maria Grout (@small1988) January 31, 2020

Lmfao this is hilarious — American Patriot (@realpatriot1997) January 31, 2020

In Nancy Pelosi’s America, you get accused, you have no rights in the process, going to court is a crime, you don’t get any witnesses, you can’t confront your accuser and if you are acquitted, you are still guilty. But “Trump is a dictator” #Acquitted — Steph – Text TRUMP to 88022 (@steph93065) January 31, 2020

It’s several hours until the final vote, and Dems are out in force to put pressure on ‘weak’ Republicans.

Schumer makes his last plea before the vote: "If my colleagues refuse to even consider witnesses and documents in this trial, this country is headed towards the greatest cover up since Watergate." #VoteYesForWitnesses #ImpeachmentTrialSham #RIPGOP https://t.co/0vRgnfy6oB — Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) January 31, 2020

But, for now, it looks positive for Trump.

May today be the aquital day of the @realDonaldTrump ??it’s time to end this #ImpeachmentTrialSham — Rodney Howard-Browne (@rhowardbrowne) January 31, 2020