The Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump starts Tuesday.
The ex-president will be tried for inciting the Jan. 6 siege of the U.S. Capitol in which five lives were lost and legislators were menaced as Trump supporters rampaged.
With Democrats controlling the Senate by just one vote, Trump is unlikely to be convicted, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle said they wanted a quick trial.
© Jacquelyn MartinIn this Jan. 6 file photo with the White House in the background, President Donald Trump speaks at a rally.
In this Jan. 6 file photo with the White House in the background, President Donald Trump speaks at a rally. (Jacquelyn Martin/)
Impeachment managers from the House of Representatives aren't expected to call witnesses; lawmakers saw the chaos first hand.
"Both sides would kind of like to wrap it up fairly quickly," Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) told Politico. "If they want to call witnesses, that prolongs it, for sure. And I think you're talking about pushing into the next week, the week after that perhaps, because then both sides will have that option available to them."
© Andrew HarnikSenate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.)
Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.) (Andrew Harnik/)
The impeachment managers and Trump's defense team will be given time to make their cases on the Senate floor, with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) presiding. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who guided Trump's first impeachment trial, declined to take on the role again. Vice President Kamala Harris also took a pass.
The nine House prosecutors led by Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) will argue that Trump was "singularly responsible" for the Jan. 6 siege, according to a pretrial brief released earlier this month. His "conduct must be declared unacceptable in the clearest and most unequivocal terms," they stated.
Trump's defense is expected to challenge the constitutionality of the trial since Trump has already left office. His attorneys could also argue the proceeding is pointless, though Democrats have said if Trump is convicted, they might then vote to bar him from holding office again.
© Provided by New York Daily NewsStaunch Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Trump would have "a place in history" for his role in the Jan. 6 disaster, but is opposed to the trial.
Staunch Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Trump would have "a place in history" for his role in the Jan. 6 disaster, but is opposed to the trial. (Alex Wong/)
As with his first impeachment trial, Trump is unlikely to testify, and through his lawyers, has rejected a request from the impeachment managers to do so. A subpoena seeking to compel his testimony isn't expected.
Deprived of Twitter, which kicked Trump off the platform following the Capitol siege, the former president has been publicly silent about the trial while he stays at his Florida resort.
Staunch Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Trump would have "a place in history" for his role in the Jan. 6 disaster, but repeated his opposition to the trial.
"I'm ready to move on. I'm ready to end the impeachment trial because I think it's blatantly unconstitutional," Graham said on CBS's "Face the Nation." "As to Donald Trump, he is the most popular figure in the Republican Party. He had a consequential presidency. Jan. 6 was a very bad day for America, and he'll get his share of blame in history."
© Provided by New York Daily NewsPresident Donald Trump listens during a ceremony to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former football coach Lou Holtz in the Oval Office on Dec. 3, 2020.
President Donald Trump listens during a ceremony to present the Presidential Medal of Freedom to former football coach Lou Holtz in the Oval Office on Dec. 3, 2020. (Evan Vucci/)
In December 2019, the House voted to impeach the president for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to a campaign to get dirt from Ukrainians on then-presidential candidate Joe Biden. The Senate, controlled by Republicans at the time, subsequently acquitted Trump.
If Trump is acquitted this time around, Democrats may then vote to formally censure him to ensure he gets some form of punishment for his actions.
With News wire services