Where the Moderate Senators Stand on Bolton Testimony After the Book Leak

The Senate needs to make a decision on whether or not former national security adviser John Bolton should testify in the impeachment trial against President Trump. In his new book, Bolton reportedly claims that Trump did tie the withholding of military aid to Ukraine to an investigation of the Bidens. The book leak has especially alarmed some of the more moderate Republican jurors.

Here's where a few of them stand. 

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) wants to hear from Bolton, and he predicted that other Republicans will follow.

GOP Sen. Mitt Romney says it's increasingly likely that more of his Republican colleagues will want to hear from former national security adviser John Bolton. https://t.co/P4rivJ8LWn pic.twitter.com/AJjXWGK6gn

— CNN (@CNN) January 27, 2020

NEWS: Romney says it’s “increasingly likely” that there will be enough Republicans to vote in support of calling John Bolton as a witness. He wouldn’t say specifically who.

— Geoff Bennett (@GeoffRBennett) January 27, 2020

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) called Bolton an honest man, but was suspicious of the timing.

Ron Johnson says it’s “rather exquisite timing, isn’t it,” but does not say if Bolton should be subpoenaed.

Asked if he thinks Bolton is telling truth, Johnson says, “We don’t know what’s in there other than what’s being leaked. My guess is John Bolton tells the truth.”

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) January 27, 2020

RON JOHNSON says “My guess is John Bolton tells the truth.” But he calls the leak “exquisite timing” and says he still wants to hear full WH case.

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) January 27, 2020

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RON JOHNSON

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) is now leaning more than ever on a Bolton testimony.

My statement on Bolton developments. pic.twitter.com/3M59J7suts

— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) January 27, 2020

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) said she's "still curious" to hear Bolton's narrative, but that the members still need to decide on whether they need more information.

In addition to Bolton, Democrats want to hear from Acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, senior adviser to Mulvaney, Robert Blair, and Office of Management and Budget official Michael Duffey. 

The White House defense team continues their opening arguments on Monday at 1 p.m. ET. Expect them to respond to the Bolton book leaks.