McConnell tries to postpone Trump's impeachment trial to February

Mitch McConnell (AP Photo / J. Scott Applewhite)

• Usa, the House approves Trump's impeachment procedure

• Pelosi: "Pence has 24 hours to dismiss Trump, then forward with impeachment"

Share

January 22, 2021 Republican Senate leader

has proposed postponing the start of Donald Trump's impeachment trial to February to give the former president time to prepare and review his case. Democrats in the House, who voted to impeach Trump, in connection with the assault on the Capitol on January 6, expressed a willingness to move quickly to trial as President Joe Biden begins his term, saying a surrender is needed. full accounts before the country, and Congress, can move forward.

But McConnell in a statement released Thursday night suggested a broader timeline that would see the House broadcast the impeachment article next week, Jan.28, initiating the first phase of the trial. After that, the Senate would give the president's defense team and the House prosecutors two weeks to present the briefs, and discussion would begin in mid-February.

"Senate Republicans are strongly united in supporting the principle that the establishment of the Senate, the office of the presidency, and former President Trump himself all deserve a full and fair trial that respects his rights and serious factual, legal and constitutional issues at stake, "especially given the unprecedented speed of the House process, McConnell said.

Senate dem majority leader

is reviewing the plan and will discuss it with McConnell, a spokesman said. The two leaders are also negotiating how the new Senate will work (with 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats) and how they will balance other priorities. A postponement of the trial could appeal to some Democrats, as it would give the Senate more time to confirm Biden's government candidates and discuss a new round of coronavirus aid.

Democratic Senator

of Delaware, a key ally of the president, told CNN that Democrats would consider delay "if we are making progress in confirming the highly talented, experienced and diverse team that President Joe Biden has appointed." .

The power over the timing is in the hands of the Speaker of the House

, who can trigger the start of the process at any time by sending the accusation of inciting an insurrection to the Senate and the Democrat has not yet said when she will send the text.