Daily US Times, Washington: Several US senators are seen to play video games, sleeping, and breaking the rules during President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
Jim Risch and Jim Inhofe apparently nodded off during the lengthy hearings.
TV cameras spotted crossword puzzles, fidget spinners and at least one paper airplane with senators.
President Trump’s trial for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress has been running where senators are acting as the jury to decide whether the president should be removed from office.
US media accused senators Republican and Democrat alike – of acting like bored schoolchildren.
The trial rules required all senators to remain seated during the impeachment trial. But Reuters reports that at least nine Democrats and 22 Republicans left their seats at various times on Thursday.
Among them included Michael Bennet, Democratic White House hopefuls Bernie Sanders, Amy Klobuchar.
Tennessee Republican Marsha Blackburn defended herself after she was spotted reading a book in the chamber.
On Tuesday, she tweeted that the tome – How Trump Haters Are Breaking America, by Kim Strassel – “provides good insights into today’s proceedings”.
“Busy mamas are the best at multi-tasking. Try it”, she added.
Republican senator Mr. Risch was seen this week slumped motionless with his eyes closed at his desk during the hearings. He also chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
A spokesman for the senator denied he had been asleep and claimed he was just listening closely “with his eyes closed or cast down”.
An Oklahoma Republican Mr. Inhofe was spotted appearing to briefly doze off before he was nudged by Senator Todd Young, an Indiana Republican who sits next to him. NBC reporter spotted him in that state.
Virginia Democrat Mark Warner was leaning on his right arm with his hand covering his eyes for 20 minutes.
Trump’s impeachment trial is the key moment in American politics now and probably it would set a huge impact in its entire history.
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