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Did Bernie Sanders doze off at Trump's impeachment? 15 GOP senators branded 'spineless' for skipping trial

While some of them who were inside the chamber during the trial were preoccupied with other activities, others reportedly appeared to struggle to stay awake during the proceedings

On the third day of former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, many senators turned out. Some Republican senators fell asleep while a lot of them exited the chamber at various intervals.

Reports suggest that around 15 seats of Republican senators were empty during the first few hours of the trial on Thursday, February 12, compared to just a handful of Democrats who were outside the chamber, according to pool reports. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rand Paul (R-Ky) were both away from their desks, while Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) was in the basement on his phone.

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While some of them who were inside the chamber during the trial were preoccupied with other activities: Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) were busy reading papers while Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla) “had a blank map of Asia on his desk and was writing on it like he was filling in the names of the countries.”

Many senators reportedly appeared to struggle to stay awake, including Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), Tom Carper (D-Del), Pat Toomey (R-Pa) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala). Lawyers from Trump's legal team, David Schoen and Bruce Castor, were reportedly not taking notes. Schoen even left the chamber to speak to reporters and participate in several TV news interviews.

The news took the Internet by storm. NY Times journalist Brigitte Gabriel tweeted, "I love seeing 15 GOP Senators LEAVING the phony impeachment trial!" Talk show host Chip Franklin tweeted, "Don't be so mean to the 15 GOP senators who couldn't stand to watch the horrific Capitol coup footage at the impeachment trial! Experts say it's wrong to punish dogs by pushing their faces into their own mess. And these Republicans are certainly some cowardly bitches."

A user said "Republicans hate justice" and wrote, "It is utterly disgraceful, and predictable, that 15 GOP Senators refused to attend the impeachment trial today." Some called out the Republican party and wrote, "15 GOP senators not even showing up the impeachment trial further proves this party has become a lawless cult and is a very real threat to the health and well being of our society."

One user suggested, "Varying reports that between 11-15 GOP senators walked out during testimony. They should automatically be stripped of their ability to vote on the outcome of this trial." Another slammed the 15 GOPs and wrote, "Next time I am a jury member, can I just elect not to show up? 15 GOP Senators Suck! #GuiltyAF."

A user added, "I am NOT watching the impeachment trial at all! I loathe all the spineless and soulless GOP senators, and we know what the outcome is going to be anyway. Who is watching?"