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Trump impeachment: Senate trial poised to start next week Trump impeachment: Senate trial delayed until next month
(30 minutes later)
Donald Trump's impeachment trial over his role in the deadly 6 January riot on the US Capitol is set to begin next week, Democrats say. The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump will begin next month after an agreement reached between Senate Democrats and Republicans.
On Monday, the House of Representatives will deliver the impeachment charge to the Senate, triggering the trial process in the 100-member chamber. House Democrats will send the impeachment article of "inciting insurrection" to the Senate on Monday.
Republicans wanted a delay to allow the ex-president more time to prepare. Arguments will not begin until the week of 8 February, allowing Mr Trump's lawyers two weeks to build a defence.
Mr Trump's impeachment trial will be the only one ever to have taken place after a president has left office. Democrats accuse the ex-president of instigating the deadly 6 January riot at the US Capitol.
The House of Representatives last week charged Mr Trump with inciting the Capitol violence, paving the way for a Senate trial. If convicted, he could be barred from future office. The House of Representatives last week charged Mr Trump with inciting the Capitol violence, paving the way for a Senate trial. If convicted, he could end up being barred from future office.
His term ended on Wednesday and he immediately left Washington, snubbing his successor Joe Biden's inauguration. His second trial will begin almost exactly a year after the Senate acquitted him on impeachment charges of abuse of power after Mr Trump phoned Ukraine's president asking him to dig up dirt on the Bidens.
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said on Friday that the House would deliver the impeachment article on Monday. Unless Democrats, who took control of the Senate this week, change the rules, it will mean Mr Trump's trial will begin on Tuesday. Mr Trump's term ended on Wednesday and he immediately left Washington, snubbing his successor Joe Biden's inauguration.
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said on Friday that the House would deliver the impeachment article on Monday.
Schumer sets out the next steps in the case against Mr TrumpSchumer sets out the next steps in the case against Mr Trump
"The Senate will conduct a trial of the impeachment of Donald Trump. It will be a full trial. It will be a fair trial," Mr Schumer said on the floor of the Senate."The Senate will conduct a trial of the impeachment of Donald Trump. It will be a full trial. It will be a fair trial," Mr Schumer said on the floor of the Senate.
Mr Trump's actions ahead of the riot are at the heart of the case. The then-president told protesters near the White House to "peacefully and patriotically" make their voices heard as they prepared to march towards the US Capitol building, which houses the US Congress. He also told them to "fight like hell".Mr Trump's actions ahead of the riot are at the heart of the case. The then-president told protesters near the White House to "peacefully and patriotically" make their voices heard as they prepared to march towards the US Capitol building, which houses the US Congress. He also told them to "fight like hell".
Mr McConnell's office said he was glad Mr Schumer had agreed to Republicans' request for more time during the pre-trial phase.
The statement said: "Especially given the fast and minimal process in the House, Republicans set out to ensure the Senate's next steps will respect former President Trump's rights and due process, the institution of the Senate, and the office of the presidency.
"That goal has been achieved. This is a win for due process and fairness."
What next for Trump - and Trumpism?What next for Trump - and Trumpism?
How will history remember Trump?How will history remember Trump?
Biden's new-look Oval Office a nod to past leadersBiden's new-look Oval Office a nod to past leaders
The demonstration turned ugly as a mob forced its way into the congressional complex where lawmakers were certifying Mr Biden's election victory. Four protesters and a Capitol Police officer died in the mayhem.
A week later, Mr Trump became the first US president to be impeached twice. Ten House Republicans sided with Democrats to do so.
When a mob stormed the US capitolWhen a mob stormed the US capitol
Impeachment: The basicsImpeachment: The basics
What is impeachment? Impeachment is when a sitting president is charged with crimes. In this case, former President Trump is accused of having incited insurrectionWhat is impeachment? Impeachment is when a sitting president is charged with crimes. In this case, former President Trump is accused of having incited insurrection
What has already happened? The House of Representatives voted to impeach Mr Trump for a second time on 13 January, shifting the process to the Senate for a trial - but that trial could not be carried out before he left office on 20 JanuaryWhat has already happened? The House of Representatives voted to impeach Mr Trump for a second time on 13 January, shifting the process to the Senate for a trial - but that trial could not be carried out before he left office on 20 January
So what does it mean? A trial can still happen although Mr Trump's term has ended, and senators can vote to bar him from holding public office againSo what does it mean? A trial can still happen although Mr Trump's term has ended, and senators can vote to bar him from holding public office again
What had Republicans asked for?What had Republicans asked for?
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell had asked House Democrats to delay sending the impeachment article to the Senate until 28 January. This would have given Mr Trump two weeks to submit his pre-trial defence, with arguments then beginning mid-February. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell had asked House Democrats to delay sending the impeachment article to the Senate until 28 January. This would have stalled Mr Trump's trial until the middle of February.
But Republicans, who as of Wednesday no longer control the Senate, failed to gain the support of new Democratic leader Mr Schumer. But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rebuffed Republicans' request for such a delay.
Speaking on the Senate floor on Friday, Mr McConnell acknowledged his request had been rejected. Mr McConnell had argued that holding off would give the chamber more time to confirm Biden cabinet officials and pass an economic stimulus bill.
He condemned the "unprecedentedly fast" process in the House earlier this month, when Mr Trump was impeached in one day. Republicans continue to chair Senate committees while Senators McConnell and Schumer work out a new power-sharing agreement, laying out rules for the evenly split, 100-seat chamber.
"The sequel cannot be an insufficient Senate process that denies former president Trump his due process or damages the Senate or the presidency itself."
Mr McConnell added that delay would also have given Democrats more time to confirm Biden cabinet officials and pass an economic stimulus bill.
Do Republican voters buy Biden's unity message?Do Republican voters buy Biden's unity message?
What happens to impeached presidents?What happens to impeached presidents?
A visual guide to the Congress riotsA visual guide to the Congress riots
What does the Biden White House say?
And President Biden also appeared to suggest he would prefer a later trial. He told reporters on Friday: "The more time we have to get up and running to meet these crises, the better."And President Biden also appeared to suggest he would prefer a later trial. He told reporters on Friday: "The more time we have to get up and running to meet these crises, the better."
The White House will not say whether Mr Biden thinks Mr Trump should be convicted. "He's no longer in the Senate and it's up to the Senate and the Congress to hold the former president accountable," said press secretary Jen Psaki when asked on Friday. The White House will not say whether Mr Biden thinks Mr Trump should be convicted.
"He's no longer in the Senate and it's up to the Senate and the Congress to hold the former president accountable," said press secretary Jen Psaki when asked on Friday.
How did Republicans defend Trump - and who voted to impeach?How did Republicans defend Trump - and who voted to impeach?
Even though Democrats now hold a narrow Senate majority, they would need the support of at least 17 Republicans in order to convict Mr Trump, because a two-thirds vote is required.Even though Democrats now hold a narrow Senate majority, they would need the support of at least 17 Republicans in order to convict Mr Trump, because a two-thirds vote is required.
A handful of Senate Republicans have indicated they are open to conviction, but most have either cast doubt on the legality of trying a president after he has left office, or said the process would be too divisive.A handful of Senate Republicans have indicated they are open to conviction, but most have either cast doubt on the legality of trying a president after he has left office, or said the process would be too divisive.
Meanwhile, Republicans continue to chair Senate committees while Senators McConnell and Schumer work out a new power sharing agreement, laying out rules for the evenly split chamber.
Some Democrats wish to abolish the filibuster, a delaying tactic where members of the minority party can drag out policy debate.
Republicans, however, want to retain a filibuster rule that allows any one Senator to call for legislation to pass by a 60% majority, rather than a simple 50% majority.
The art of the filibuster: How do you talk for 24 hours non-stop?
A dilemma for Democrats
The Senate majority leader said the House of Representatives will deliver the articles of impeachment on Monday. Unless the Senate changes its rules, that means the trial will begin on Tuesday.
Some Democrats would have welcomed McConnell's offer of a two-week postponement, as it could have given the Senate some more time to confirm presidential appointments and begin work on its legislative agenda. Before his inauguration, Joe Biden expressed concern about being unable to quickly staff his administration and recommended the Senate try to conduct a part-time trial while doing other business.
Democrats demanding a speedy trial appear to have won the day, however. They fear a long delay might make it the easier for Republicans to acquit the president, as the Capitol Hill insurrection fades into the past.
Since the Democrats control both chambers of Congress, they're the ones who get to set the timetable and make the rules. It marks a sharp contrast from the last Trump impeachment, where Republicans had the Senate majority and McConnell was in charge.
What does the Constitution say?What does the Constitution say?
The rules set out in the US Constitution say that by 13:00 ET on the day following the submission of an impeachment article, the Senate must convene to begin the trial.The rules set out in the US Constitution say that by 13:00 ET on the day following the submission of an impeachment article, the Senate must convene to begin the trial.
The Senate sergeant-at-arms begins the proceedings by warning lawmakers - who will act as jurors - "to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment".The Senate sergeant-at-arms begins the proceedings by warning lawmakers - who will act as jurors - "to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment".
The trial must then continue every day - barring Sundays - until a verdict is rendered.The trial must then continue every day - barring Sundays - until a verdict is rendered.
Where is Trump now?Where is Trump now?
Donald Trump left the White House on Wednesday morning and flew on Air Force One to his golf club in Palm Beach, Florida. He arrived minutes before Mr Biden took the oath of office in Washington DC.Donald Trump left the White House on Wednesday morning and flew on Air Force One to his golf club in Palm Beach, Florida. He arrived minutes before Mr Biden took the oath of office in Washington DC.
Mr Trump is expected to live at the resort he calls his "Winter White House", despite concerns from some neighbours about the increased traffic and heightened security.Mr Trump is expected to live at the resort he calls his "Winter White House", despite concerns from some neighbours about the increased traffic and heightened security.
He is planning to maintain a tight-knit coterie of former White House aides in Florida.He is planning to maintain a tight-knit coterie of former White House aides in Florida.
According to reports, he wants to raise $2bn (£1.46bn) for his presidential library and has floated the idea of forming a new political party called the Patriot Party.According to reports, he wants to raise $2bn (£1.46bn) for his presidential library and has floated the idea of forming a new political party called the Patriot Party.