Chinanews.com, February 1, comprehensive US media reports, former US President Trump will usher in the Senate's impeachment trial against him next week. Although the Senate has given Trump the time to form a defense team, US media reported that , The chief lawyer Bowers, who was originally scheduled to defend Trump, and four other members have left collectively and parted ways with Trump.
The news of the Bowers team’s departure has injected new uncertainty into an unprecedented situation.
On the other hand, because the majority in the Republican Party questioned whether the trial was constitutional, it may be difficult for Trump to be convicted in the Senate.
Data map: Former US President Trump.
Impeachment trial is coming
Trump defense lawyers run away!
Earlier reports stated that Trump’s impeachment trial will begin on February 9 at the earliest, and the trial is currently only 8 days away. However, Fox News and many other US media reported on January 31 that all five lawyers had left Tron. Pu's defense team.
The US media earlier reported the departure of two key members of the defense team.
According to Fox News citing sources, South Carolina Attorney Bowers no longer serves on the Trump debate team.
Another person familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that another South Carolina lawyer, Deborah Balbier, has also withdrawn from the Trump legal team.
Fox News later confirmed that the new member of the legal team that Bowles assembled, North Carolina lawyer Josh Howard, had also left.
In addition, two lawyers from South Carolina, Johnny Gasser and Greg Harris, also left the team.
According to reports, the legal team left collectively due to differences in defense strategies.
The team members wanted to focus on the legality of impeachment, while Trump insisted on emphasizing the representation of election fraud.
This split may be beyond the expectations of Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of Congress.
It was he who announced a few days ago that Bowers will serve as the "host" of Trump's legal team during the trial.
"I think Trump will have an excellent legal team." Graham said at the time.
"I think Bowers will be the main force. I have known him for a long time and he is very reliable. And I think they will form a team."
In addition, according to analysis, with the collective departure of defense lawyers, it may be more difficult for Trump to find legal help in the second impeachment trial. Some lawyers who participated in his first trial also said that they would not participate again. Trial.
Has the firm support of the Republican Party
Trump is difficult to be convicted?
Although the collective departure of Trump's defense team has brought uncertainty to the next trial.
But it seems that with the support of the Republican majority, it is almost impossible for Trump to be convicted.
It is reported that 100 senators from the U.S. Senate have sworn an oath to form a jury on January 26 to formally take over the impeachment case.
Convicting Trump requires the support of at least two-thirds of the senators.
Currently, the Democratic and Republican parties each control 50 seats in the Senate.
The Democrats need the support of 17 Republicans to convict Trump.
And just last week, 45 of the 50 Republican members of the Senate voted to pass the procedural rejection trial proposed by Republican Senator RandKy. Paul believes that the upcoming trial in the Senate is unconstitutional.
Many Senate Republicans have argued that since Trump has stepped down, the trial against the president is unconstitutional.
It can also be seen that it may be difficult for the Senate to obtain enough votes to convict Trump.
In addition, according to White House officials and sources close to the president, Biden has indicated to the Democratic leadership of the Senate that he hopes to shorten the trial period. Biden hopes that Congress will give priority to passing a $1.9 trillion epidemic relief plan.
On January 13, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass an impeachment clause against Trump, accusing him of "inciting rebellion."
At that time, it was only a week before Trump officially stepped down as President of the United States, and he became the first president in American history to be impeached twice by the House of Representatives.
In December 2019, Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives for the first time. He was accused of abusing his power and obstructing Congress. Senate Republicans subsequently vetoed the impeachment clause.