Rudy Giuliani has a curious response to New York Daily News reporter Chris Sommerfeldt in a late night text on the developments in the Senate. He explained that the Democrats would not call him as a witness because “[Democrats] have indicated in every way possible they are afraid of my physical presence.” It was a bizarre moment because Giuliani has been a perpetual motion machine of controversy. The House is not the only group of lawyers fearful of his presence.
One of the weakest moments of the White House defense was the homage to Giuliani in the middle of its arguments. Giuliani has been a continuing train wreck from his repeated gaffs on television to his associates (now in jailing and cooperating with prosecutors) to his still unfulfilled promises of bombshell evidence. The White House would be insane to call Giuliani who would be grilled over his associations with his dubious duo of Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman.
Nevertheless, Giuliani seems insulted that he is not being discussed as a must-see witness: “They know I know what they are covering up. Why do they want Bolton if not me if they can prove their lies. Again I really should stop wasting my time.”
The problem is that, even on friendly television programs, Giuliani routinely says things that he or the White House has to walk back or clarify the next day. (here and here and here and here and here and here) The idea of Giuliani in cross examination is enough to put any defense attorney into a tight fetal position.
The defense of Giuliani in the trial came across as more of a bid to keep him in the fold than countering any allegations against the President. It certainly did not offer anything to the defense. Having Giuliani taunt his way into the witness chair would be equally unhelpful.
In other words, the “fear” of Giuliani on the House floor is shared by members of the House, White House, and the Senate. In the meantime, the statement itself has a bit of a Col. Ripper Strangelovian quality:
