A majority in the US Senate declared by vote on Tuesday that they had found Donald Trump’s impeachment process constitutional. Thus, the political trial against the former US president can continue.
The vote followed the opening statements of Democratic prosecutors and the defense of the former Republican president. Trump’s attorney argued that the measure was unconstitutional because Trump was no longer president. For this reason, his dismissal no longer makes sense, according to attorneys.
It was already clear that a majority in the Senate wanted Trump to be put on trial for his role in the violent storming of the Capitol. At the end of last month, the Senate had already rejected a motion by Republican Senator Rand Paul stating that Trump’s trial is unconstitutional.
Of the 100 senators, 56 voted against the motion Tuesday, including 6 Republicans. The remaining 44 Republicans were in favor of ending the trial.
Ball’s proposal as well as Tuesday’s vote shows that Democratic prosecutors face a major challenge. To convict Trump requires the support of two-thirds of the senators present. This means that at least 17 Republicans will have to vote with the Democrats in the evenly divided Senate.
Trump is angry over the attorneys’ actions
Republican senators are unhappy with the actions of Trump’s attorney on the first day of the trial. Bruce Castor and David Schwen could not separate from the attorneys.
according to CNN Trump is furious. Advisers to the former president say he saw the pictures almost screaming. Other Republicans aren’t happy either and talk about insane and disastrous behavior by attorneys.
The criticism of Castor in particular was devastating. Some of the comments were startling, incoherent, and impossible to follow. It was also the Trump team’s performance that prompted Senator Bill Cassidy to veer to the other side.
The first day of the trial did not go well for Trump’s attorney. Several Republicans criticized the speeches of David Schwen (masked) and Bruce Castor.
The first day of the trial did not go well for Trump’s attorney. Several Republicans criticized the speeches of David Schwen (masked) and Bruce Castor.
Photo: ANP
Incitement to revolt
Trump must respond in the Senate to “inciting rebellion” in the run-up to the January 6 storming of Parliament. An angry crowd headed to the Capitol in Washington after a speech by the then president, as politicians were busy approving Democrat Joe Biden’s election victory. Trump supporters swept through the police and forced their way into the building. Five people were killed, including a Capitol agent.
Trump’s trial after the deadly riots can be described as historic for several reasons. He was the only US president who faced impeachment twice. It will also go down in history as the first former president to be tried by Congress.
The political case against Trump continues at noon on Wednesday (local time).
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