United States: Donald Trump's second impeachment trial opens Tuesday

Former US President Donald Trump faces an impeachment trial in the Senate from February 9, 2021. MANDEL NGAN AFP / File

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2 min

It is this Tuesday, February 9 that the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, who becomes the first American president to face this infamous procedure twice.

He is accused of having incited the insurrection which led a crowd of his supporters to invest the Capitol on January 6.

An intrusion that had killed five people.

This Monday morning, Donald Trump's lawyers sent their arguments to the Senate.

They are simply asking to quash the trial.

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With our correspondent in Washington, 

Anne Corpet

The trial is a " 

dangerous political staging for democracy

 " denounce the president's lawyers.

They believe that since Donald Trump is no longer in the White House, he cannot be prosecuted in impeachment proceedings.

The argument is rejected by Democrats and many experts.

The Constitution specifies that the Senate must conduct the trial of an indicted president, and Donald Trump was still in office when the chamber voted on his indictment.

Basically, the former president's lawyers will also plead the right to freedom of expression.

In their opinion, contesting the result of the ballot is everyone's most absolute right.

But the Democrats, they intend to prove that Donald Trump with his repeated lies has pushed his supporters to act.

They also plan to broadcast videos of the

assault on the Capitol 

during the trial

in which rioters can be heard ensuring that they act at the request of Donald Trump.

There is little doubt about the outcome of the trial.

Donald Trump will not be condemned.

This would require seventeen

Republican senators

to rally with the Democrats, which is more than unlikely.  

► To read also: Impeachment of Donald Trump: the impossible task of senators

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Impeachment of Donald Trump: the impossible task of senators