McConnell told colleagues in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday that he can't yet block witnesses.
McConnell's comments come as Republicans and Democrats continue their battle over whether to call for sworn testimony. The vote for potential witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial is expected to be taken in several days.
Democrats need four—any four—Republicans to vote with them to subpoena John Bolton and others to testify in the proceedings. And at this point, they face several possible defections. Senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins have indicated they will likely support them. Republicans, who have primarily been pushing for a fast trial and acquittal, and Trump's defense team have come under additional pressure in recent days after revelations from Bolton's upcoming book further highlighted the importance of new witnesses to be heard.
In his memoirs, the former national security adviser reportedly claims the president told him in August that he wanted to keep withholding $391 million in military aid to Ukraine until the country's officials agreed to help prove his Democratic rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden. Biden has been leading the 2020 race for the party's nomination in most polls since announcing his campaign last April.
In this screengrab taken from a Senate Television webcast, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks during impeachment proceedings against U.S. President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC.
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