Tester: Senators have a ‘solemn oath’ to take impeachment trial seriously

Sen. Jon Tester said Thursday that his colleagues should take seriously the case presented by House impeachment managers in former President Donald Trump’s second Senate trial, after reports circulated that some Republicans were being inattentive during the proceedings.

In an interview on CNN, Tester (D-Mont.) was asked about the reported behavior by those GOP lawmakers, which included Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) doodling and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) rifling through papers with his feet up in the Senate gallery.

“I think we’ve got a solemn obligation to do what the Constitution says. And I think paying attention is a big part of it, whether it’s an impeachment trial or otherwise,” Tester said. “I will make no judgments on those folks. But the truth is, this is a very somber and important event, and we need to treat it as such.”