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Trump impeachment process: Who are the key players? Trump impeachment process: Who are the key players?
(about 16 hours later)
Democrats, including Jamie Raskin (centre), voted to impeach President Donald Trump, as did 10 RepublicansDemocrats, including Jamie Raskin (centre), voted to impeach President Donald Trump, as did 10 Republicans
The US House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time over his alleged role in last week's deadly assault on the Capitol.The US House of Representatives has voted to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time over his alleged role in last week's deadly assault on the Capitol.
His impeachment for "incitement to insurrection" was approved by 232 representatives including 10 Republicans.His impeachment for "incitement to insurrection" was approved by 232 representatives including 10 Republicans.
Democrats led the effort to charge Mr Trump with encouraging the riots.Democrats led the effort to charge Mr Trump with encouraging the riots.
But a growing number of Republicans had backed calls for impeachment.But a growing number of Republicans had backed calls for impeachment.
So, who are these key players, and what do we know about them?So, who are these key players, and what do we know about them?
Follow our live updatesFollow our live updates
Can Trump be removed or banned from politics?Can Trump be removed or banned from politics?
How many arrests so far from Capitol riots?How many arrests so far from Capitol riots?
Jamie Raskin, lead impeachment manager for the DemocratsJamie Raskin, lead impeachment manager for the Democrats
When the impeachment charges go to the Senate for trial, the case for the prosecution will be made by a team of lawmakers, led by Mr Raskin, a Democratic representative from Maryland since 2017 and a former professor of constitutional law.When the impeachment charges go to the Senate for trial, the case for the prosecution will be made by a team of lawmakers, led by Mr Raskin, a Democratic representative from Maryland since 2017 and a former professor of constitutional law.
The impeachment of Mr Trump represents the continuation of an extremely challenging start to 2021 for Mr Raskin, 58.The impeachment of Mr Trump represents the continuation of an extremely challenging start to 2021 for Mr Raskin, 58.
Jamie Raskin (left) helped to draft the article of impeachment against President TrumpJamie Raskin (left) helped to draft the article of impeachment against President Trump
The congressman's 25-year-old son, Tommy Bloom Raskin, took his own life on New Year's Eve and was laid to rest last week.The congressman's 25-year-old son, Tommy Bloom Raskin, took his own life on New Year's Eve and was laid to rest last week.
A day after the funeral, Mr Raskin found himself hunkering down with colleagues, shielding from a violent mob that rampaged through the Capitol where lawmakers were meeting to certify November's presidential election result.A day after the funeral, Mr Raskin found himself hunkering down with colleagues, shielding from a violent mob that rampaged through the Capitol where lawmakers were meeting to certify November's presidential election result.
Statement of Congressman Jamie Raskin and Sarah Bloom Raskin on the Remarkable Life of Tommy Raskin: https://t.co/tBJdK29g6BStatement of Congressman Jamie Raskin and Sarah Bloom Raskin on the Remarkable Life of Tommy Raskin: https://t.co/tBJdK29g6B
On the day of the assault, Mr Raskin helped to draw up an article of impeachment against President Trump.On the day of the assault, Mr Raskin helped to draw up an article of impeachment against President Trump.
Speaking to the Washington Post, Mr Raskin said his son, who was studying law at Harvard University, would have considered last week's violence "the absolute worst form of crime against democracy".Speaking to the Washington Post, Mr Raskin said his son, who was studying law at Harvard University, would have considered last week's violence "the absolute worst form of crime against democracy".
"It really is Tommy Raskin, and his love and his values and his passion, that have kept me going," Mr Raskin said."It really is Tommy Raskin, and his love and his values and his passion, that have kept me going," Mr Raskin said.
Madeleine Dean, Democratic impeachment managerMadeleine Dean, Democratic impeachment manager
In total, nine Democrats, including Mr Raskin, have been named as impeachment managers. Among them is Representative Madeleine Dean, from Pennsylvania, one of three women on the team. In total, nine Democrats, including Mr Raskin, have been named as impeachment managers. One is Representative Madeleine Dean, from Pennsylvania, who is one of three women on the team.
Ms Dean started her career in law, opening her own three-woman practice in Pennsylvania before teaching English at a university.Ms Dean started her career in law, opening her own three-woman practice in Pennsylvania before teaching English at a university.
Having been active in state politics for decades, she was elected to the House in 2018, using her seat to champion women's reproductive rights, gun law reform and healthcare for all, among other issues. Having been active in state politics for decades, she was elected to the House in 2018, using her seat to champion women's reproductive rights, gun law reform, and healthcare for all, among other issues.
Madeleine Dean has called for a quick trial of President Trump in the SenateMadeleine Dean has called for a quick trial of President Trump in the Senate
In an interview with MSNBC, Ms Dean, 68, said she favoured a "speedy trial" in the Senate if Mr Trump was impeached.In an interview with MSNBC, Ms Dean, 68, said she favoured a "speedy trial" in the Senate if Mr Trump was impeached.
"This isn't about a party. This isn't about politics. This is about protection of our constitution, of our rule of law," Ms Dean said."This isn't about a party. This isn't about politics. This is about protection of our constitution, of our rule of law," Ms Dean said.
Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Speaker of the HouseNancy Pelosi, Democratic Speaker of the House
Nancy Pelosi has called President Trump "deranged, unhinged and dangerous"Nancy Pelosi has called President Trump "deranged, unhinged and dangerous"
As the Speaker of the House, Ms Pelosi has been in the spotlight since last week's riots in the Capitol.As the Speaker of the House, Ms Pelosi has been in the spotlight since last week's riots in the Capitol.
Ms Pelosi leads the Democrats in the lower chamber of Congress, so the 80-year-old had a huge influence over the decision to introduce an article of impeachment against Mr Trump.Ms Pelosi leads the Democrats in the lower chamber of Congress, so the 80-year-old had a huge influence over the decision to introduce an article of impeachment against Mr Trump.
Nancy Pelosi: How she rose to the top - and stayed thereNancy Pelosi: How she rose to the top - and stayed there
Ms Pelosi had said the House would proceed with impeachment unless Vice-President Mike Pence invoked constitutional powers to force out Mr Trump. Mr Pence did not do so, saying he believed such a move was against the country's interests.Ms Pelosi had said the House would proceed with impeachment unless Vice-President Mike Pence invoked constitutional powers to force out Mr Trump. Mr Pence did not do so, saying he believed such a move was against the country's interests.
"This president is guilty of inciting insurrection. He has to pay a price for that," Ms Pelosi said."This president is guilty of inciting insurrection. He has to pay a price for that," Ms Pelosi said.
The storming of the US CapitolThe storming of the US Capitol
Mitch McConnell, Republican Senate majority leaderMitch McConnell, Republican Senate majority leader
Mr McConnell, a 78-year-old Republican senator for Kentucky, could have the biggest influence on the final outcome.Mr McConnell, a 78-year-old Republican senator for Kentucky, could have the biggest influence on the final outcome.
He leads Republicans in the Senate - the upper chamber of Congress - and was a thorn in the side of former Democratic President Barack Obama, often manoeuvring to frustrate his legislative agenda and judicial appointments. Hence, he is known as "the Grim Reaper" among Democrats. He leads the Republicans in the Senate - the upper chamber of Congress - and was a thorn in the side of former Democratic President Barack Obama, often manoeuvring to frustrate his legislative agenda and judicial appointments. Hence, he is known as "the Grim Reaper" among Democrats.
Now that the House of Representatives has voted to impeach Mr Trump, the case will head to the Senate, where a trial will be held to determine the president's guilt.Now that the House of Representatives has voted to impeach Mr Trump, the case will head to the Senate, where a trial will be held to determine the president's guilt.
As Republicans still have a majority in the Senate, Mr McConnell will have an impact, for now, on when the trial proceeds.As Republicans still have a majority in the Senate, Mr McConnell will have an impact, for now, on when the trial proceeds.
But control of the Senate soon switches to the Democrats following last week's election of two Democratic senators in Georgia. They are thought likely to take up their seats next week.But control of the Senate soon switches to the Democrats following last week's election of two Democratic senators in Georgia. They are thought likely to take up their seats next week.
Mr McConnell was the driving force behind Mr Trump's acquittal in his first impeachment trial in 2019.Mr McConnell was the driving force behind Mr Trump's acquittal in his first impeachment trial in 2019.
But times have changed.But times have changed.
Mitch McConnell had been loyal to President Trump until the Capitol riotsMitch McConnell had been loyal to President Trump until the Capitol riots
According to the New York Times, Mr McConnell has now concluded that President Trump committed impeachable offences. He believes it is time to purge Mr Trump from the Republican party, the paper reported, citing sources close to him.According to the New York Times, Mr McConnell has now concluded that President Trump committed impeachable offences. He believes it is time to purge Mr Trump from the Republican party, the paper reported, citing sources close to him.
For a trial to be held before Mr Trump leaves office on 20 January, Mr McConnell must agree to recall the Senate, which is currently in recess.For a trial to be held before Mr Trump leaves office on 20 January, Mr McConnell must agree to recall the Senate, which is currently in recess.
But Mr McConnell's office has said he will not reconvene the Senate until 19 January - too late to try Mr Trump while he is still president.But Mr McConnell's office has said he will not reconvene the Senate until 19 January - too late to try Mr Trump while he is still president.
Liz Cheney, Republican House Representative for WyomingLiz Cheney, Republican House Representative for Wyoming
Ms Cheney, 54, is third-highest-ranking Republican leader in the House. As the daughter of former Republican Vice-President Dick Cheney, she has a high profile in the party.Ms Cheney, 54, is third-highest-ranking Republican leader in the House. As the daughter of former Republican Vice-President Dick Cheney, she has a high profile in the party.
So, her support of the impeachment is particularly significant. So, her support for impeachment is particularly significant.
Liz Cheney has accused President Trump of inciting the attack on CongressLiz Cheney has accused President Trump of inciting the attack on Congress
Mr Trump had "summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack", Ms Cheney said of the Capitol riots.Mr Trump had "summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack", Ms Cheney said of the Capitol riots.
"There has never been a greater betrayal by a president of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution," the Wyoming representative said."There has never been a greater betrayal by a president of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution," the Wyoming representative said.
Ben Sasse, Republican Senator for NebraskaBen Sasse, Republican Senator for Nebraska
Blocking Mr Trump from ever running for office again is one rationale that may motivate some Republicans to impeach the president.Blocking Mr Trump from ever running for office again is one rationale that may motivate some Republicans to impeach the president.
That reasoning could be attractive to Republican senators like Mr Sasse, who is seen as a possible contender for the presidency in 2024.That reasoning could be attractive to Republican senators like Mr Sasse, who is seen as a possible contender for the presidency in 2024.
Elected to the Senate in 2014, the 48-year-old has been an ardent critic of Mr Trump.Elected to the Senate in 2014, the 48-year-old has been an ardent critic of Mr Trump.
Ben Sasse refused to overturn the results of November's presidential election in CongressBen Sasse refused to overturn the results of November's presidential election in Congress
Mr Sasse was firmly opposed to a Republican effort - cheered on by Mr Trump - to overturn the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's election victory in Congress.Mr Sasse was firmly opposed to a Republican effort - cheered on by Mr Trump - to overturn the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's election victory in Congress.
On the question of impeachment, Mr Sasse said he would "definitely consider whatever articles they might move" in the House.On the question of impeachment, Mr Sasse said he would "definitely consider whatever articles they might move" in the House.
A two-thirds majority would be needed to convict Mr Trump in the Senate, meaning at least 17 Republicans - including Mr Sasse - would have to vote for it.A two-thirds majority would be needed to convict Mr Trump in the Senate, meaning at least 17 Republicans - including Mr Sasse - would have to vote for it.