Donald Trump is the only president only to be impeached twice and his second trial is underway in the Senate. From February 9th to February 12th, the Senate heard arguments from the House Impeachment Managers and Trump’s defense team. The House Managers are, Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), David Cicilline (D-RI), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Eric Swalwell (D-CA). Representing Trump is David Schoen and Bruce L. Castor Jr. Before I begin I would like to remind you that Trump was impeached and is being tried for inciting the Capitol riots, and if the Senate were to vote to convict Trump he will not be allowed to hold office again.
The first day of the trial was a debate and then a vote if the trial is constitutional. The vote was 56-44 that the trial was constitutional. Some say this is how the actual vote will play out and Trump will be acquitted because 67 votes are needed (the chamber is split 50-50). Day two began oral arguments from both sides (each side has a total of 16 hours). Trump’s legal team fumbled the bag on day two. David Schoen, Trump’s lawyer, called himself the prosecution and stated that the House Managers had a good argument. And what was the good argument by the House Managers? First, they introduced new evidence that stunned the nation. They showed a video of Mike Pence being taken away from the chambers and Officer Eugene Goodman directing Senator Mitt Romney back into the Senate chambers for his safety.
On day three the House Managers shared their opinions on Trump and how dangerous a second term would be. Lead Manager Representative Raskin connected the insurrection and the attack on the Michigan Capitol riots, calling Michigan a warm-up. On day four Trump’s legal team finished their arguments. After they finished the senators were allowed to ask the House Managers and Trump’s legal team questions. On Saturday the final vote was held. Trump was acquitted 57-43. The vote was considered the most bi-partisan impeachment vote with seven Republican senators voting to convict. They were Richard Burr (NC), Bill Cassidy (LA), Susan Collins (ME), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Mitt Romney (UT), Ben Sasse (NE), and Pat Toomey (PA).
While Trump is still technically allowed to run for public office there are many actions that can happen that will make him ineligible to run. The first one is that the House and Senate can vote and say he is not allowed to ever hold public office again, and the second is if he is convicted of a felony state or federal he will not be allowed to hold public office. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has said that she is opening an outside investigation into the Capitol Insurrection and pending the investigation, the Justice Department can legally charge him and have a federal court convict. He is also facing tax issues in New York.
Trump’s impeachment is out of the way but he will most likely be facing legal action the rest of his life.
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