US Senate to call witnesses in impeachment trial against Donald Trump, expand definition

The trial of Donald trump is heading towards its end and the Senate is expected to deliver its verdict this weekend after the defense of the former US president claimed he was not responsible for assaulting a mob of his supporters in Congress. The Senate will subpoena witnesses and this could result in a slightly longer extension of the definition.

Defense lawyers concluded their arguments on Friday in just three hours, accusing Democrats of persecuting Trump. The Senate returned this Saturday to debate whether he would allow the testimony of a witness – which he has already done – and for oral argument.

Expectations they had to vote the decision the same day, so it could be solved this Saturday. However, after confirmation of the presentation of witnesses, that would prolong the discussion. So far, everything indicates that Democrats will not win the support of a sufficient number of Republican senators for a conviction.

In his arguments on Friday, the defense lawyer Michael van der veen described the charge as unconstitutional and an “act of political revenge”. “The Senate must vote quickly and resolutely to reject it“, He said.

The Democratic-majority House of Representatives assigned Trump on January 13 the position of “incitement to insurgencyIn his supporters’ assault on Capitol Hill, which took place a week earlier.

With shocking images, Lawmakers acting as prosecutors claimed Trump deliberately stoked political tensions after losing his re-election to Joe Biden on Nov. 3 with a campaign of unsubstantiated allegations of massive voter fraud.

The capture of the Capitol, which left five dead, came moments after a massive rally organized by Trump near the White House, in which he demanded to march to Congress to prevent certification of Biden’s victory.

It would take a two-thirds majority to convict, meaning 17 Republicans would have to join the 50 Senate Democrats.

Although Trump appears to be on the verge of acquittal, even a few Republican votes against him would leave a historic mark on his presidency.

“Stop hypocrisy”

Trump’s lawyers argue his speech was rhetorical and that he cannot be held responsible for the excesses of his followers like those which showed the images presented by the prosecution.

They also claim the trial is aimed at removing Trump from the political arena.

“Let’s be clear: this trial goes way beyond President Trump“Said defense lawyer Bruce Castor.

“It’s about suppressing 75 million Trump voters and criminalizing their political views. This is what it really is, ”he added.

The defense fired back against the prosecution on Friday, which this week insisted on Trump’s Jan. 6 call to “fight like hell,” with video of Democratic politicians using the word “fight.”

The edit, which lasted more than 10 minutes, showed many Democratic senators, in addition to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to the “struggle” hundreds of times in speeches and on television.

“Please stop the hypocrisy,” lawyer David Schoen said.

“He didn’t come out of nowhere”

In contrast, footage and audios presented by the Democratic prosecution showed fierce Trumpists chasing Trump opponents on Capitol Hill, political figures like then-Vice President Mike Pence rushing for refuge.

Schoen mocked the video, calling it “an entertainment package”.

But the Democratic leader of the impeachment, Jamie raskin, pointed out that Trump had encouraged extremism even before election day, by constantly undermining public confidence in the electoral process.

“This pro-Trump insurgency did not come out of nowhere,” he said Thursday, noting that it is imperative that the Senate condemn Trump and ban him from running for the White House again in 2024.

“Would they bet the future of their democracy on this?He asked the senators.

Biden “anxious”

While there are few signs of weakness in the fence surrounding Trump, the verdict will make many Republicans uncomfortable either way.

“Can’t wait to see what my Republican friends are up to”Biden, who was a senator for 35 years, said earlier.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy He said the evidence presented by the White House was “powerful”. However, reporters saw the draft statement saying he would vote to acquit Trump.

Other Republican senators have taken a clear stand and have no intention of breaking with Trump who threatened to affect their careers if they vote to condemn him.

“The “ not guilty ” vote increasesRepublican Senator Lindsey Graham said on Twitter.

His bench colleague Josh Hawley told the network Fox News that the judgment is “totally illegitimate“.

(With information from AFP)

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