Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and several top Senate Republicans are reportedly in the process of creating a “kill switch” which would allow them to end the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump anytime they like if the process goes on for several weeks, according to Fox News and the Associated Press:

“The discussions came as Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz told Fox News’ ‘Sunday Morning Futures’ that the trial could extend ‘to six to eight weeks or even longer’ if the Senate decided to hear from additional witnesses.”

Since McConnell has yet to release any resolution regarding the basic rules of the impeachment trial which begins on Tuesday, Democrats have no idea what to expect when it comes to the amount of time House impeachment managers will have to present their case to the Senate, which will serve as the jury.

Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) confirmed that Republicans are indeed looking to game the system with a kill switch and allow for an immediate dismissal of the impeachment trial after only minimal debate, telling Axios:

“I am familiar with the resolution as it stood a day or two ago. My understanding is that the resolution will give the president’s team the option to either move to judgment or to move to dismiss at a meaningful time.”

Hawley later posted this on Twitter:

On Sunday, Alan Dershowitz, who is serving as one of President Trump’s attorneys for the impeachment trial, said no witnesses will need to testify after he makes his opening argument that there is no proof Trump committed any crimes:

In other words, despite their promises of a fair trial, it now sounds like Senate Republicans are prepared to kill the trial shortly after it begins, especially if evidence is presented that directly implicates the president.

The Senate impeachment trial opens in less than 24 hours.

Featured Image Via NBC News