Tuesday marks the beginning of the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, and all eyes are on the Senate that will serve as a jury to deliberate whether to convict or acquit the former president. Here’s how to watch and what you should know about the Senate impeachment.
The case reaches the upper house, overseen by Senate President pro tempore Senator Patrick Leahy, after the House voted last month to impeach Trump for the second time in a swift, bipartisan conviction of his role in incitement. of the January 6 riot in the United States Capitol.
Senate leaders reached an agreement Monday that gives Trump’s impeachment prosecutors and attorneys up to 16 hours each to present their cases and created the option of a debate and vote to call witnesses if prosecutors from Impeachment of the House they seek it. But it remains to be seen how long the trial will last and whether witnesses will actually be called.
How can people see the judgment?
Citizen Free Press’s special coverage of the trial will begin Tuesday at noon ET. Coverage will be broadcast live and can be accessed via:
The Citizen Free Press home page
The globelivemedia.com website
GLM Live, via GlobeLiveMedia.com/live on desktops, smartphones and tablets
Globe Live Media Mobile Apps for iOS and Android
GLM apps on Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Android TV, Chromecast, and Roku
When will the trial start?
The Senate will vote Tuesday on the rules agreed by the leadership for the trial. The trial will begin with a four-hour debate on the constitutionality of the process followed by a simple majority vote to affirm the constitutionality of the process.
Will we see witnesses?
At the request of those responsible, you can choose to hold a debate and vote whether or not to call witnesses. But that just keeps the possibility open; it is not an indication by itself that prosecutors plan to do so.
Democrats’ desire for witnesses who can corroborate Trump’s thinking and actions as the unrest unfolded meets the wishes of many Senate Democrats for a speedy trial so that they can move on to pass the aid package for Trump. covid-19 from President Joe Biden. The problem for managers is that it is not clear who they can voluntarily call as witnesses who can speak to the Trump mindset. Even if the Senate were to vote to subpoena a witness who was in the White House on January 6, there could be a court fight over executive privilege, delaying the trial.
Last week, Trump’s legal team swiftly rejected House impeachment prosecutors’ request that the former president testify, leaving the decision to Democrats on whether to try to force Trump to testify with a subpoena.
How will the trial work logistically? Are there any changes due to covid?
A Senate official familiar with the planning said there will be reserved seats for senators in the public gallery above the chamber and in the Senate “marble room” just off the floor, where the trial will be broadcast on television. Senators will have to be in the full Senate to vote.
During Trump’s first impeachment trial, senators were asked to sit at his desks during lengthy discussions, though they didn’t always do so. But this year, senators will not be required to remain at their desks due to the covid-19 pandemic and physical distancing.
How long will the trial last?
The end date of the trial remains unclear. The 16 hours allotted to each side for scheduled presentations begin on Wednesday, presentations cannot exceed eight hours per day or two days total.
Who will try to convict or acquit the president?
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed nine members of her group to be impeachment administrators to defend the case for the Democrats in the Senate once the impeachment charge is sent to the House.
The impeachment prosecutors are Representatives Jamie Raskin of Maryland (Chief Prosecutor), Diana DeGette of Colorado, David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Joaquin Castro of Texas, Eric Swalwell of California, Ted Lieu of California, Stacey Plaskett of the US Virgin Islands. .UU., Joe Neguse from Colorado and Madeleine Dean from Pennsylvania.
On the other hand, Trump’s office announced last week that David Schoen and Bruce L. Castor Jr. would lead the legal team for his second impeachment trial, a day after Citizen Free Press first reported that five members of his defense had left. and his legal team collapsed. Schoen was on the team of attorneys who represented Roger Stone on the appeal of his related conviction. Beaver, meanwhile, is a well-known Pennsylvania attorney who previously served as a Montgomery County district attorney.
Outside the official arguments, a group of Republicans in the House of Representatives allied with Trump are reprising their role in the second impeachment of the former president to defend him in public debate. About half a dozen House Republicans are helping Trump’s legal defense by planning to speak to reporters during breaks in impeachment, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Will the Senate move forward with any other legislative business?
The Senate vote Monday night confirming Denis McDonough as Biden’s secretary of Veterans Affairs could be the last confirmation vote for a cabinet official until after the impeachment trial ends.
That could change if there is an agreement between the senators, although several Republicans have said they would not agree to vote for more candidates until after the trial.