Leader of the Republicans in the US Senate, Mitch McConnell.
-
Sipa USA
Donald Trump is playing his immediate survival, but above all his future.
Tuesday, five elected Republicans declared themselves in favor of the impeachment of the American president for "incitement to insurrection" during the violence of the Capitol.
While the House could vote on the impeachment of Donald Trump as early as Wednesday, the real battle will be played out in the Senate, where Democrats will need the reinforcement of 17 Republicans to condemn and impeach the US president - which could pave the way for his ineligibility via a second vote.
And according to the
New York Times
, the very influential leader of the Republicans, Mitch McConnell, would not be opposed.
Republican House No. 3 Liz Cheney announced on Tuesday that she would vote in favor of impeachment.
“The President of the United States has assembled this pack and ignited the flame of this attack.
There has never been a more serious betrayal by a President of his oath to the Constitution, ”wrote the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, as five people died in the attack on the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump on January 6.
🚨🚨 Liz Cheney (daughter of Dick and elected to the House) will vote for Trump's impeachment: "The President of the United States has assembled this pack and lit the flame of this attack. There has never been a more serious betrayal by a president of his oath to the Constitution "pic.twitter.com/bX6qZpN4pF
- Philippe Berry (@ptiberry) January 12, 2021
Mike Pence refuses to invoke the 25th Amendment
On Tuesday evening, the House passed a resolution formally calling on the US Vice President to invoke the 25th Amendment to declare Donald Trump "unfit" and assume the presidential office.
But Mike Pence explained in a letter that he was against it: “I don't believe this is in the best interests of our country or in accordance with our Constitution.
According to him, the 25th Amendment was introduced for medical emergencies and not political crises.
The House text gave Mike Pence 24 hours to respond.
The presentation of the indictment of the US president is expected to take place on Wednesday and a vote will take place in stride.
With the Democratic majority in the House and the backing of several Republicans, Donald Trump is expected to become the first US president in history to be
impeached
twice.
Chess game in sight in the Senate
A week before Joe Biden takes office, the rest promises to be more complicated.
After an impeachment, a trial, which usually lasts several weeks, must be organized in the Senate.
It remains to be seen when.
Mitch McConnell has indicated that he could in theory stand after the departure of Donald Trump but we are entering a constitutional gray area - the Supreme Court could be called upon to decide.
To convict and impeach a US president, a two-thirds majority is required in the Senate.
Donald Trump would therefore have to be released by 17 Republicans.
If several senators critical of the American president could cross the Rubicon (Mitt Romney, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski or Pat Toomey) and be joined by elected officials freshly reelected or leaving soon to retire, it would need more.
This is where the position of Mitch McConnell could weigh.
According to the
New York Times
and the
Washington Post
, the leader of the Republicans does not believe that Donald Trump's actions warrant impeachment, but he wishes to wait to hear the arguments to make up his mind.
If convicted, a second vote - this one with a simple majority - could then render Donald Trump ineligible.
A scenario that would be far from displeasing McConnell, angry after the double defeat in Georgia, and several Republicans who already have their eyes fixed on 2024.
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