In this image from video, Senators cast their vote on the motion to allow additional witnesses and evidence to be allowed in the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. (Photo: AP)

Washington (People’s Daily) -- The US Senate voted Friday afternoon not to call new witnesses in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump. The vote was a close 51-49 against more witnesses.

Whether to call new witnesses has been the key point of contention between the Republican and Democratic parties since the impeachment trial began. In particular, Democrats want John Bolton, Trump's former national security adviser, to testify.

The New York Times reported earlier on Friday that more than two months before he asked Ukraine’s president to investigate his political opponents, Trump directed Bolton, then his national security adviser, to help with his pressure campaign to extract damaging information on Democrats from Ukrainian officials, according to an unpublished manuscript by Mr Bolton.

The Washington Post reports that the Senate plans to hold a final vote next Wednesday on two articles against Trump. As things stand, Trump will be acquitted.