A key Republican senator announced that he would vote against the calling of new witnesses and thereby most likely doom the Democrats' demand to prolong the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump.

"Justice will be done. President Trump will be ACQUITTED," Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) tweeted after the announcement from Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.).

Democrats were hoping to garner enough votes to force new witnesses in the impeachment trial, but Alexander's was a vote they needed and lost.

"I worked with other senators to make sure that we have the right to ask for more documents and witnesses, but there is no need for more evidence to prove something that has already been proven and that does not meet the U.S. Constitution's high bar for an impeachable offense," tweeted Alexander.

Alexander went on to say that he believes the president was guilty of asking a foreign leader to investigate his political opponent, but added that the charge does not meet the high standard for impeachment.

"The question then is not whether the president did it, but whether the United States Senate or the American people should decide what to do about what he did," Alexander said. "I believe that the Constitution provides that the people should make that decision in the presidential election that begins in Iowa on Monday."

The unhinged response

Social media exploded with criticism of Alexander from the left and others.

"Lamar Alexander another coward We won't forget the ones who sold America down the drain," tweeted liberal actress Rosanna Arquette.

"Lamar Alexander is selling out his country on his way out the door. Lower than low," tweeted liberal strategist Adam Parkhomenko.

"GOP Senator Lamar Alexander will be voting no on allowing witnesses and documents, because he's a coward who doesn't care about America. He will forever be known as the guy who tried to cover up Trump's criminal scheme. And nothing else. That's it. Congrats, traitor," tweeted online activist Scott Dworkin.

"The entirety of Lamar Alexander's career tanked over 1 vote. History will destroy him and should," tweeted Shannon Freshour.

"Lamar Alexander joins fellow Republicans in voting for the first impeachment trial in U.S. history with no witnesses. Shame on him and his party. They are now accomplices in Donald Trump's crimes," tweeted CNN contributor Keith Boykin.

"Party over country. No integrity. No courage. No moral core. This is his legacy," tweeted Norm Ornstein.

The trial is expected to wrap up as soon as Friday.

"If this shallow, hurried and wholly partisan impeachment were to succeed, it would rip the country apart, pouring gasoline on the fire of cultural divisions that already exist," concluded Alexander.

Here's video of the latest in the impeachment trial:

www.youtube.com