While any theory and point of view is allowed, I'm of the opinion that the whole point of the impeachment move in the House was to create new distractions to smear Trump and the GOP generally. First, the Dem's spend a couple months announcing 'bombshell testimony' a couple of weeks promoting the 'bombshell testimony' (even when it's baseless 4th hand conjecture based on hearsay) a couple more weeks looking to 'formulate articles' and a few days doing victory laps after passing the articles. Then the new diversion begins.

The left can now spend an unlimited amount of time simultaneously suggesting Trump is guilty of something and that the Senate leadership is also guilty of something. The left could easily spend an entire year leading up to the November elections vilifying McConnell and Senate members for 'not doing (what the Democrats view as fair)'. It's actually a decent bit of political theater/political strategy. When you don't have a winning policy position, deflect, accuse others of what you, yourself, do, refuse debate and instead seek headlines. Almost to the letter, the Dems are following Saul Alinsky's 'Rules For Radicals.'

And if the public are blind to the performance art........

Former Republican congressman David Jolly said on Saturday that Democrats should “go big” on highlighting Moscow Mitch McConnell’s misconduct in the wake of his comments that he will not be an impartial juror in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

According to Jolly, McConnell’s admission was a “fatal error” and should be “part of the reason why the articles” are not being sent to the Senate.

“I think his confession that he would not be impartial in this trial is akin to when Kevin McCarthy admitted that the Benghazi hearings were only to sink Hillary Clinton,” the former GOP lawmaker said. “It is a fatal error by Mitch McConnell that needs to be part of history and part of the reason why the articles are not going over.”

Former Rep. Jolly said:

I mean, he wants the show, because the show will excite his base and honestly allow Donald Trump to continue to put the spotlight on Joe Biden and on Hunter Biden which politically works for Donald Trump, though there’s no parity between the conduct of Joe Biden and the impeachable conduct of Donald Trump, Donald Trump wants to make that case to his base and his base will accept it. Which is why, though, to your point about having a jury and a majority leader that has already expressed partiality and a willingness to rig this trial, I think Nancy Pelosi in withholding the articles needs to put a strong spotlight and almost put Mitch McConnell, not on trial like we’re talking about Donald Trump, but in the House, go big. Bring a heavy spotlight to the misconduct of Mitch McConnell. I think his confession that he would not be impartial in this trial is akin to when Kevin McCarthy admitted that the Benghazi hearings were only to sink Hillary Clinton. It is a fatal error by Mitch McConnell that needs to be part of history and part of the reason why the articles are not going over. It’s not just about the witnesses. It’s about the fact that the majority leader has said we will not have a fair trial in the United States Senate. That’s reason enough to withhold this and what we’ve seen from Mar-a-Lago this weekend, the singular trigger for Donald Trump is Nancy Pelosi and, to an extent, the impeachment articles that she now controls.

Moscow Mitch McConnell must be held accountable for undermining democracy.

During his time in public office, particularly in recent years, Mitch McConnell has become the face of everything wrong with Washington.

Whether it’s bragging about denying Barack Obama a Supreme Court pick or calling himself the grim reaper of the Senate, McConnell has always been a sharp thorn in the side of democracy.

But the majority leader crossed a line when he admitted that he would happily violate his oath and conduct a sham trial to clear Trump. As former GOP Rep. David Jolly said, Democrats must hold him accountable for it.

https://www.politicususa.com/2019/12/28/former-gop-red-tells-democrats-go-big-and-make-mcconnell-pay-for-sham-trial-plot.html

I was likening it to the rules of a civil trial.
However, In a civil case, you can force the respondent to testify. It's done all the time.
The 5th Amendment does not apply to civil damages, only self-incrimination.

Here's a quote from an authority on the matter:
"The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that a defendant cannot "be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." In short, the defendant cannot be forced to speak. ... A civil defendant may, however, be forced to testify as a witness in a civil case."
I accept your apology.
Have a Happy New Year and perhaps make a resolution to read a book this year.

Unfortunately you trump zealots will never accept reality so debating you is like getting an elephant to tap dance. It annoys the elephant, frustrates the trainer and eventually everyone agrees that it will just never learn.
I've accepted the fact that the right-wingers on this site are incapable of learning and so trying seams to be an exercise in futility.
Carry on with the Celebrity Apprentice show in the White House and let the Trump Cartel continue but tin the end, there will be justice.
I can't wait to see how Ivanka looks in an orange jumpsuit.

Unfortunately you trump zealots will never accept reality so debating you is like getting an elephant to tap dance. It annoys the elephant, frustrates the trainer and eventually everyone agrees that it will just never learn.
I've accepted the fact that the right-wingers on this site are incapable of learning and so trying seams to be an exercise in futility.
Carry on with the Celebrity Apprentice show in the White House and let the Trump Cartel continue but tin the end, there will be justice.
I can't wait to see how Ivanka looks in an orange jumpsuit.