Friends -

Every day of the impeachment trial, Senator Murphy is writing a bit about his read of the day’s events. He’ll share his thoughts and insights and try to give some behind-the-scenes vignettes. He wants to make sure the trial is as transparent as possible.

Below are Senator Murphy’s takeaways from the House managers’ second day of opening arguments.

- Team Murphy

I thought Nadler's opening seminar on the history of the impeachment clauses was a tour de force. He closed the case on whether you need to prove a crime (you don't) and if foreign entanglements mattered most to the Framers (they did). Lots of senators agreed he nailed it.

Felt today like pressure was building inside the GOP caucus to close ranks on witnesses/documents. Chatter on the floor that McConnell is pushing hard to stifle all GOP dissent. It's sickening that this trial could turn into a cover-up. But we aren't giving up!

I brought my phone into the chamber today by accident. It was only for a few minutes before I realized my mistake (and I didn't turn it on). I may be in Senate prison by tomorrow, but I feel better having admitted my crime.

Chatting with Senator Menendez and Senator Merkley during a break, we agreed how crystal clear the facts are now. It just seems implausible that any senator can believe that this scheme didn't happen. All that's left is whether it deserves removal from office.

Man, Schiff's closing was powerful. Senators' egos don't tend to allow gushing over other politicians' performance, but as we walked out the trial tonight, senator after senator (albeit the Democratic ones) was awestruck. Schiff is right — Trump doesn't care about us, just himself.