U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the White House in Washington D.C., on Aug. 1, 2019. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)
"I don't think anyone being impeached would show up at the proceedings we firmly believe are unconstitutional," Trump's attorney David Schoen said.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4 -- Former U.S. President Donald Trump will not testify under oath voluntarily for the Senate impeachment trial set to start next week, Trump's legal team said on Thursday, calling the House Democrats' request for Trump testifying a "stunt."
"We are in receipt of your latest public relations stunt," Trump's attorneys Bruce Castor and David Schoen wrote in a quick response. "As you certainly know, there is no such thing as a negative interference in this unconstitutional proceeding."
"Your letter only confirms what is known to everyone: you cannot prove your allegations against the 45th President of the United States, who is now a private citizen," they continued.
Schoen later clarified by text message that Trump did not plan to testify voluntarily, according to a New York Times report.
"I don't think anyone being impeached would show up at the proceedings we firmly believe are unconstitutional," Schoen said.
The House managers could still attempt to subpoena testimony from Trump during the trial, but doing so would require support from a majority of the Senate, said the NYT report.