United States Capitol, Washington, DC. © Can Stock Photo / pazhamUnited States Capitol, Washington, DC. © Can Stock Photo / pazham
Windsor

Trump impeachment trial to push forward Tuesday

The eyes of Canada's neighbours will be focused on Washington, D.C., beginning Tuesday afternoon.

For only the third time in the 243-plus year history of the United States, a sitting president will stand trial. President Donald Trump has joined Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton in this exclusive club.

It's scheduled to begin in the U.S. Senate chamber of the Capitol, with the first order of business expected to be the approval of the trial rules. According to NBC News Monday evening, the rules state that each side will be given two days to present its case, starting Wednesday afternoon. Once that is complete, Senators will be given a chance to submit written questions for a 16-hour period. At that point, the Senate will consider the question of subpoenas for witnesses and certain documents.

Proceedings began Thursday when the articles of impeachment were officially delivered to the Senate chamber from the House and read aloud. Roberts officially swore-in the House members who will act as impeachment managers or the "prosecution," and the Senate, who will serve as the jury.

Trump is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of justice. He is accused of withholding military aid for Ukraine on the condition that that country began an investigation into former Vice-President Joe Biden, a likely election opponent, and his son Hunter, who served on a company board in Ukraine. He is also accused of ordering his administration to ignore subpoenas issued by House committees during the impeachment inquiry. The president has denied any wrongdoing.

ABC News reported Monday that Trump's legal team had issued a brief outlining its defence. It referred to the impeachment process as "legally invalid" and "a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president."

A two-thirds majority vote of Senators is needed to convict Trump and remove him from office. If that happens, Vice-President Mike Pence would assume the presidency.

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