HOUSE CALL: ‘IT’S ON, DON!’
TRUMP SENATE TRIAL IS SET
WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives has presented a single article of impeachment to the Senate accusing Donald Trump of inciting the storming of the Capitol, setting in motion the first-ever impeachment trial of a former president.
It is also the first time a president has been impeached twice.
In a solemn procession, the nine House impeachment managers silently walked the article through the same ornate halls of Congress that were overrun and vandalised by Trump supporters three weeks ago and delivered it to the Senate.
Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland then read out the charge against Mr Trump on the Senate floor, where the former president continues to enjoy significant support from Republican senators.
The Senate trial of the 74year-old Mr Trump is set to begin the week of February 8.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the 100 members of the Senate, who will act as jurors, will be sworn in on Tuesday and a summons issued to the former president.
Democrats and Republicans agreed to delay the start of the trial to allow Mr Trump to prepare his defence against the charge of “incitement of insurrection”, and for the Senate to confirm Joe Biden’s cabinet appointees.
US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts presided over Mr Trump’s previous Senate trial, which ended with his acquittal, but presiding this time will be the Senate president pro tempore.
The president pro tempore is the senior senator of the party with the majority in the Senate, currently the Democrats. Patrick Leahy, 80, who was elected to the Senate in 1974, holds the position.
Republican senator John Cornyn said having a senator serve as both judge and juror raised a conflict of interest, but another Republican senator, Lindsey Graham, dismissed his concerns.
“I’ve known Pat a long time,” Senator Graham said.
“I believe he’ll be fair.” Senator Leahy said he would take an oath to be impartial.
Mr Biden has taken a hands-off approach to the impeachment trial because he is eager to put Mr Trump in the rear-view mirror and make progress in fighting the coronavirus pandemic and reviving the economy.
Democratic representative Jerry Nadler, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, said Mr Trump “must be held accountable”.
“We must not give Donald Trump a pass for inciting a deadly insurrection on our Capitol,” he said.
“The House has done its job by impeaching Trump, and now the Senate must complete the task by ensuring that he is never again in a position to directly harm the United States.”
If Mr Trump is found guilty he will be barred from taking public office.
Ten Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues in the House in voting to impeach Mr Trump for inciting the crowd that stormed the Capitol while Congress was certifying Mr Biden’s November 3 election victory.
Five people died in the mayhem, including a police officer and a protester who was shot by Capitol police.
Last year the House impeached Mr Trump for seeking to dig up political dirt on Mr Biden from Ukraine.