A crucial group of Republican senators got the first question as the Senate dove into a mammoth q…

A crucial group of Republican senators got the first question as the Senate dove into a mammoth question-and-answer session in the impeachment trial of President TrumpDonald John TrumpCNN’s Don Lemon explains handling of segment after Trump criticismNPR reporter after Pompeo clash: Journalists don’t interview government officials to score ‘political points’Lawyer says Parnas can’t attend Senate trial due to ankle braceletMORE.
Sens. Susan CollinsSusan Margaret CollinsGOP confident of win on witnessesRepublicans signal renewed confidence they’ll avoid witness fightTrump’s team rests, calls for quick end to trialMORE (R-Maine), Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiGOP confident of win on witnessesRepublicans signal renewed confidence they’ll avoid witness fightTrump’s team rests, calls for quick end to trialMORE (R-Alaska) and Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyGOP confident of win on witnessesCollins Senate bid threatens to spark GOP rift in GeorgiaRepublicans signal renewed confidence they’ll avoid witness fightMORE (R-Utah) joined forces to ask the first question, with Collins writing it for the group.
“If the president had more than one motive for his alleged conduct, such as the pursuit of personal political advantage, rooting out corruption and the promotion of national interests, how should the Senate consider more than one motive in its assessment of Article One,” Supreme Court Justice John Roberts said, reading the question from the trio.
The first article of impeachment passed by the House accuses Trump of abusing his power.
The decision for Republicans to give their first question to the three senators quickly caught attention around the Capitol.
The three GOP senators are viewed as crucial swing votes on the decision of whether or not to call new witnesses. That vote is expected on Friday, and GOP senators are increasingly optimistic they will be able to block the push for new witnesses.
They have also not said how they will vote on the final votes on convicting or acquitting Trump.
Trump’s legal team responded that if senators believe Trump had more than one motive “it’s clear that their case fails.”
“Once you’re into mixed motive land, it’s clear that their case fails. There can’t possibly be an impeachable offense at all,” said Patrick Philbin, a lawyer on Trump’s team. 
“All elected officials, to some extent, have in mind how their conduct, how their decisions, their policy decision will affect the next election,” he continued.