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Senate Begins Second Trump Impeachment Trial

Washington, DC, USA —(Map)

Yesterday, the US Senate began the impeachment trial of ex-President Donald Trump for his part in encouraging the rioters who attacked the US Capitol building on January 6. Yesterday’s meeting led to a vote allowing the trial to go ahead.

Impeachment is a special process that allows the US Congress to charge the president or other politician with a crime. In this case, the House of Representatives charged Mr. Trump with “inciting violence against the government of the United States”.

Mr. Trump, the first president ever to be impeached twice, is now being put on trial in the Senate.

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Yesterday, the US Senate began the impeachment trial of ex-President Donald Trump for his part in encouraging the rioters who attacked the US Capitol building on January 6. Above, David Schoen, one of Mr. Trump’s lawyers speaking to the Senate yesterday.

What Happened on January 6?
     On January 6, Congress met to officially count the election results of the Electoral College. Mr. Trump didn’t accept that he had lost the election, and encouraged Republican lawmakers to protest the results.
     As Congress was meeting, Mr. Trump spoke to a rally of his supporters. He repeated his claim that the election was stolen, and encouraged them to march on the Capitol, telling them that they would need to “fight” for their country. The mob of rioters, many carrying weapons, broke violently into the US Capitol building, forcing lawmakers to run for safety. In the violence, five people were killed and dozens were injured.
     On January 13, the US House of Representatives voted to impeach Mr. Trump for his part in encouraging the rioters.

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The Democrats started off with a powerful video, reminding everyone of what happened on January 6. The video cut between Mr. Trump speaking, the violent actions of the rioters (above), and members of Congress under attack in the Capitol building.

The Democrats started off with a powerful, emotional video, reminding everyone of what took place on January 6. The video cut back and forth between Mr. Trump speaking, the violent actions of the rioters, and members of Congress under attack in the Capitol building.

But the main question yesterday was whether the impeachment trial could even be held.

Mr. Trump’s lawyers say Democrats are simply trying to hurt Mr. Trump. They say the US Constitution only allows someone to be impeached in order to remove that person from office. They claim that since Mr. Trump isn’t president anymore, he can’t be impeached.

Trump lawyer Bruce Castor speaks at the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
Mr. Trump’s lawyers say the Constitution only allows someone to be impeached if they’re being removed from office. Since Mr. Trump is no longer president, they say he can’t be impeached. Above, Bruce Castor, one of Mr. Trump’s lawyers, speaking yesterday.
(Source: Screenshot [Public domain], C-Span.org.)

Democrats say that in the past, other members of the government have been impeached after leaving office. They point out that if there’s no way to punish a president who has left office, then presidents could do almost anything at the end of their term, knowing they could never be punished.

After several hours of discussion, the Senate voted. As expected, all the Democrats voted that the Constitution allows an impeachment trial after a president has left office. Six Republicans joined them, making the vote 56-44.

Voting results in the US Senate on whether the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump is constitutional.
After several hours of discussion, the Senate voted. As expected, all the Democrats voted that the Constitution allows an impeachment trial after a president has left office. Six Republicans joined them, making the vote 56-44.
(Source: Screenshot [Public domain], C-Span.org.)

The real trial in the Senate will start on Wednesday. Democrats, led by nine House “impeachment managers”, will have a chance to make the case against Mr. Trump over the next few days. After that, Mr. Trump’s lawyers will get an equal amount of time.

At the end of that time, there will be four hours for senators to ask questions of both sides. Though Mr. Trump can’t be removed from office, if he’s found guilty, the Senate could take a second vote that could prevent Mr. Trump from running for president again.

Democrat Jamie Raskin of Maryland speaks at the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
The real trial starts Wednesday. Jamie Raskin, above, leads the nine Democratic House “impeachment managers”, who’ll make the case against Mr. Trump. Democrats want future presidents to know that acting in the way that Mr. Trump did isn’t allowed.
(Source: Screenshot [Public domain], C-Span.org.)

The Senate trial is unlikely to result in a punishment for Mr. Trump, since it would require the votes of two-thirds of the Senate to find Mr. Trump guilty. Democrats barely control the Senate, and aren’t likely to find 17 Republicans to go along with them.

Still, Democrats say it’s important for Mr. Trump to be put on trial. The Democrats want to remind Americans of how serious the January 6 event was. They also want to send a message to future presidents that acting in the way that Mr. Trump did isn’t allowed.

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