Former U.S. national security adviser John Bolton said Monday he would testify if subpoenaed during President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in the Senate, complicating Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's plan for swift proceedings with no witnesses.
"I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify," Bolton said in a statement posted on his political action committee's website. Bolton didn't alert the White House ahead of time, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Bolton's pronouncement injects fresh drama into the trial, which has been delayed amid a stalemate over Democrats' demand that key administration figures — including Bolton — appear as witnesses. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Bolton's statement increases pressure on Senate Republicans to back his call for additional testimony.