Democrats fell short on Friday in their bid to garner the votes needed to call witnesses in US President’s impeachment trial.

Iran Press/America: The Senate on Friday voted 51-49 against calling additional documents and witnesses in US President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, clearing the way for his likely acquittal as early as this weekend.

The Democrats and two Republicans — Mitt Romney and Susan Collins — voted to hear additional testimony. The remaining Republicans voted against the motion.

Democrats needed at least 51 votes to call witnesses and prolong the trial.

The Republican-controlled Senate stopped Democrats' drive to hear testimony from witnesses like former national security adviser John Bolton, who is thought to have first-hand knowledge of the president's efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.

According to a draft manuscript, US President Donald Trump directed his former national security adviser John Bolton to help with his pressure campaign in Ukraine to dig up dirt on Democrats in early May last year.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives impeached Trump in December, formally accusing him of abusing his power for pressuring Ukraine to investigate the Bidens. The House also charged Trump with obstruction of Congress.

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