Friday, January 22, 2021
Impeachment against Donald Trump
The indictment goes to the Senate on Monday
You don't want to lose any time: the US Senate is due to deal with the impeachment proceedings against ex-President Trump as early as Monday. The Democrats prevail against the Republicans, who would have preferred a date a few days later.
The US Senate is due to receive the indictment in the trial against Donald Trump on Monday for "inciting riot". This was announced by the Democratic majority leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer. Submitting the specific charges is the next step in the impeachment proceedings against the former president.
Trump's term of office ended this week – but the procedure could bring the 74-year-old to a lifelong suspension of office. The Republicans in the US Senate wanted to delay the beginning of the impeachment negotiations until around mid-February.
Their minority leader, Mitch McConnell, suggested that the House of Representatives should not formally forward its "inciting riot" charges to the Senate until January 28th. Then both parties would have a good two weeks, until February 13th, to submit their respective documents, McConnell said. After that, the actual Senate hearing, which is similar to a trial in court, could begin.
A slower start to the Senate process could also accommodate the new president, Democrat Joe Biden. He is dependent on the approval of the Senate for his cabinet and other top personalities. If the Senate were primarily concerned with impeachment, that could make the start of Biden's government more difficult.
"The mob was fed with lies"
Democrats and Republicans each hold 50 seats in the Senate. If there is a stalemate, Vice President Kamala Harris can cast the decisive vote for the Democrats. A two-thirds majority is required in impeachment proceedings. So far it is unclear whether enough Republicans would vote to convict Trump.
The Democrats blame the Republican for his supporters' attack on the US Capitol in early January. Most recently, McConnell Trump had also been complicit. "The mob was fed lies," said the Kentucky state senator. "You were provoked by the president and other powerful people." The rioters had "tried to use fear and violence" to "stop" certification of Joe Biden's victory in the presidential election on November 3rd. "But we continued," he continued.
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