‘Russia, if you’re listening’: CNN anchor reacts to GOP senator’s vote against witnesses

CNN anchor John Berman was dismayed by the announcement that Sen. Lamar Alexander would not vote in favor of adding additional witnesses to the Senate impeachment trial.

Alexander, a Tennessee Republican, announced late Thursday that he would not vote in favor of hearing additional witnesses, effectively killing Democratic hopes for enough Republicans to vote with the minority to hear testimony from John Bolton. During Friday morning’s New Day, Berman opened the show by claiming Alexander’s vote invited interference in the 2020 elections.

“Welcome to our viewers in the United States and all around the world. This is New Day. It is Friday, Jan. 31. It’s 6:00 here in New York, and Russia, if you’re listening, 2020 is open for investigations,” Berman said.

He continued, “This morning, not only is the Senate about to acquit the president for asking for foreign assistance in the election, the Senate is now poised to say it doesn’t even want to hear all the evidence.”

Berman called Alexander the “deciding vote” for the Senate to hear additional witnesses. He explained that the “best Democrats can do” is hope for a tie vote if Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski voted yes alongside Utah Sen. Mitt Romney and Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who are both already expected to vote yes. In the case of a tie, Chief Justice John Roberts could make a final ruling on witnesses.

The special investigation by Robert Mueller into the 2016 election found that Russia meddled in the U.S. democratic process, but did not find evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia. Security officials have already been working to thwart new election interference attempts by Russia, China, and Iran.