Deutsche Welle (English edition)
Trump impeachment: Democrats and Republicans clash over rules
As the US Senate moves forward on Trump's impeachment trial, Democrats have accused Republicans of trying to rush the proceedings with an "absurdly compressed" schedule that keeps witnesses from testifying.
Members of the US Senate convened at the Capitol in Washington Tuesday for the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, kicking off a debate and vote on the structure and rules of the proceedings.
The Senate majority leader, Republican Mitch McConnell, had proposed a condensed calendar for opening arguments, with House Democratic prosecutors and Trump's lawyers each having 24 hours split over two days to present their arguments.
However, following protests by senators from both parties as proceedings began, McConnell abruptly changed his proposal to include a third day for opening arguments. This would mean 8-hour days instead of the 12hour marathon sessions under the prior proposal.
In another abrupt change as the proceedings began, McConnell said House evidence would automatically be included in the record, instead of requiring a vote. Ahead of the proceedings, Democrats said McConnell's proposal failed to guarantee evidence gathered by investigators would be put on the record.
The House speaker, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, had called the schedule "absurdly compressed" and said any senator who voted for it did not intend to "truly weigh the damning evidence" against Trump.
Read more: Trump's lawyers, Democratic lawmakers spar over who really broke the law
A trial without witnesses? Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had blasted McConnell's plan Tuesday, calling it a "national disgrace." He accused McConnell of rushing the trial and being "hellbent" on making it harder for witnesses and documents to be presented.
After the opening arguments, senators will be allowed up to 16 hours for questions to the prosecution and defense, followed by four hours of debate.
McConnell's proposal still calls for the Senate to vote on whether to approve any additional evidence or witnesses in the proceedings. Democrats had demanded this vote take place before the opening arguments, and say the Republicans are using a delay tactic to prevent witnesses from testifying.
Read more: Watchdog: White House broke US law over Ukraine aid
The Democrats want the testimony of key Trump administration officials to be admitted for the record. House prosecutors believe witnesses like acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and former national security adviser John Bolton have significant information about Trump's dealings with Ukraine.
There are 100 senators in the US Senate. The Republicans hold a majority with 53 senators, and that majority means that four
Republican senators would have to join Democrats to crack the "magic number" of 51 necessary to agree on critical procedural issues like witness testimony and submission of additional evidence from investigators.
Read more: Trump condemns impeachment in long, angry letter ahead of vote
Why was Trump impeached? House Democrats impeached the Republican president last month on two charges: abuse of power by withholding US military aid to Ukraine in an alleged pressure campaign to get the country to help him win the 2020 election, and obstruction of Con
gress by refusing to cooperate with the investigation.
Read more: Impeachment in the US: How does it work?
On Tuesday, Schumer called the charges against Trump "crimes against democracy itself."
The length of the impeachment trial is still up in the air.
However, it will continue six days a week, Monday through Saturday. In the quickest possible outcome, the Senate could vote to convict or acquit Trump by the end of January.
A two-thirds majority in the Senate is required to convict, and eventually remove, President Trump. But Trump's acquittal is almost certain because of the 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate. wmr/ng (AP, AFP, Reuters) DW sends out a selection of the day's news and features. Sign up here.