Trump likely to be acquitted as Senate opens trial
WASHINGTON: Donald Trump’s second Senate impeachment began on Tuesday, rich in political and constitutional significance but almost certain to end in acquittal, with most Republicans in opposition.
US chief justice John Roberts, who oversaw the former president’s first trial, is not doing the same for the second trial.
Democratic senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont is president pro tempore of the Senate, and will preside over the Senate sessions. The constitution requires the Supreme Court chief to preside in presidential impeachments.
When Leahy, 80, the longestserving member of the Senate, disclosed last month he would fill that role in Trump’s trial, he noted the president pro tempore had historically presided over Senate impeachment trials of non-presidents.
Trump left the White House last month after his November 3 election defeat to Joe Biden. He was impeached by the House on January 13, a week after his supporters had stormed the US Capitol, angered by his defeat in the election.
Georgia investigates call Georgia’s secretary of state’s office opened a probe on Monday into Trump’s efforts to overturn the state’s 2020 election results, a step that could lead to a criminal investigation by state and local authorities.
Secretary of state Brad Raffensperger had faced calls to open a probe after Trump was recorded in a January 2 phone call pressuring Raffensperger to overturn the state’s election results based on unfounded voter fraud claims.
“The secretary of state’s office investigates complaints it receives,” said a spokesman for Raffensperger’s office, describing the investigation as “fact finding and administrative.”