Trump impeachment: Senate trial delayed until next month

BBC – The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump will begin next month under an agreement reached between Senate Democrats and Republicans.

House of Representatives Democrats will send the charge of “inciting insurrection” to the Senate on Monday.

But arguments will not begin until the week of 8 February, allowing Mr Trump’s lawyers two weeks to build a defence.
Democrats accuse the ex-president of instigating the deadly 6 January riot at the US Capitol.

The House last week paved the way for the Senate proceedings by charging Mr Trump with inciting the violence, which left five people dead.

His second impeachment trial will begin almost exactly a year after the Senate acquitted him on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. That case related to accusations he pressured Ukraine to help smear Joe Biden and his son.
Mr Trump’s term ended on Wednesday and he left Washington, snubbing his successor Joe Biden’s inauguration.

His speech to a rally ahead of the Capitol riot are at the heart of the case against him. 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”.

What did the Senate leaders agree?
Top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer said on Friday that the House would deliver the impeachment article – or charge – on Monday.

“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, speaking on the floor of the Senate.

House Democrats say the article will be passed to the upper chamber of Congress at 19:00 local time on Monday. Democratic impeachment managers, lawmakers from the House who will act as prosecutors during the Senate trial, will be sworn in on Tuesday.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s office said he was glad Mr Schumer had agreed to his request for more time during the pre-trial phase, and that the trial itself would begin on 9 February.

A 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.”