WASHINGTON (AP) – All but five Senate Republicans have voted in favor of an effort to dismiss Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial.
The vote on Tuesday made clear a conviction of the former president for “incitement of insurrection” after the deadly Capitol siege on Jan. 6 is unlikely.
While the Republicans did not succeed in ending the trial before it began, the test vote made clear that Trump still has enormous sway over his party as he becomes the first former president to be tried for impeachment.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., made a motion that the impeachment trial against Trump is unconstitutional in the Senate, arguing that Trump couldn’t be tried as a private citizen.
Republican Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania joined Senate Democrats in killing Paul’s motion.
A two-thirds vote would be required for Trump’s conviction. Arguments in the trial begin the week of Feb. 8.
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Meantime, A spokesman for U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy says the Vermont Democrat was taken to a hospital Tuesday evening after not feeling well and later sent home following an examination. The 80-year-old senator had begun presiding over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump earlier in the day, swearing in lawmakers.
Leahy’s role as Senate Pro-tem is largely ceremonial after Supreme Court Justice John Roberts bowed out.
Senate President Pro Tempore Leahy: "Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump…you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws, so help you God?"
Senators: "I do." https://t.co/VkNOBWeOhF pic.twitter.com/b7f7V0iw5L
— ABC News (@ABC) January 26, 2021
(Copyright 2021 WBAP/KLIF 24/7 News. This Report Contains Material From The Associated Press.)
