US Senators should acquit Donald Trump, his lawyers said Friday in his impeachment trial for inciting insurrection, arguing that Democrats' real goal was taking "vengeance" and "canceling" the right-wing populist's movement.
Closing arguments were expected on Saturday with no witnesses being called.
But lead Democratic prosecutor Jamie Raskin of Maryland asked for a deposition of Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler over fresh information.
She has widely shared a conversation she had with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy over Mr Trump’s actions on January 6 as a mob was rioting at the US Capitol over the presidential election results.
Mr Raskin said it was necessary to determine Mr Trump’s role in inciting the deadly riot.
There were 55 senators who voted to debate the motion to subpoena, including Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who changed his vote in the middle of the count.