Trump's impeachment trial to begin week of February 8
January 23, 2021
The US Senate majority leader has said Donald Trump's impeachment trial is set to begin in two weeks. It will be the first such trial to take place after a US president has left office.
Donald Trump became the first president in US history to be impeached twice.Image: Alex Brandon/AP/picture alliance
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The impeachment trial of former US President Donald Trump will begin in the week of February 8, US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Friday.
"The Senate will conduct a trial of the impeachment of Donald Trump. It will be a full trial. It will be a fair trial," Schumer said.
The top Democratic leader in the Senate announced the schedule after reaching an agreement with Republicans.
According to the timeline, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will send the article of impeachment to the Senate on Monday, triggering the start of the former president's trial on the charge of "incitement of insurrection" over the deadly riot at the US Capitol on January 6.
The initial proceeding will begin Tuesday, and Trump's legal team will have time to prepare the case before opening arguments begin in February.
The chamber will use this time to carry out confirmation votes of President Joe Biden's Cabinet nominations and start work on a massive coronavirus relief package, Schumer said.
Trump became the first president in US history to be impeached twice , and his Senate trial will be the first to take place after a president has left office.
The former president was impeached for inciting a mob of his angry supporters who ransacked the US Capitol building in an attempt to overturn the results of the November presidential election, which Trump falsely claimed was "stolen."
Pro-Trump protesters storm US Capitol: In pictures
Supporters of President Donald Trump breached the US Capitol as lawmakers gathered to count electoral votes. Here's a look at some of the chaotic scenes in Washington as rioters clashed with security forces.
Image: Leah Millis/REUTERS
Protesters and police clash
Supporters of US President Donald Trump clash with police officers in front of the Capitol Building in Washington DC on January 6. Congress was holding a joint session to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win over President Trump.
Image: Stephanie Keith/REUTERS
Angry protesters march towards the Capitol
Aggressive pro-Trump supporters rallied outside the US Capitol's Rotunda. Police tried to hold them back, but they breached security and forced their way into the building.
Image: Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images
Forceful entry
An angry pro-Trump mob breaks into the US Capitol building on January 6, 2021, while Congress holds a joint session to ratify President-elect Joe Biden's Electoral College win over President Trump.
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Guns drawn
With guns drawn, US Capitol police officers watch as protesters try to break into the House Chamber, the inner-most room where legislators had convened to ratify the Electoral College vote.
Image: J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo/picture alliance
Standoff outside the Senate
Security officials try to hold off the rioters in the hallway outside the Senate chamber as lawmakers on the other side of the door are rushed to safety.
Image: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo/picture alliance
Taking over the Senate
After breaking through Capitol security, a protester rushes to the middle of the Senate chamber and screams "Freedom."
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Invading the Senate chamber
A rioter manages to break through security, and jumps from the public gallery to the floor of the Senate chamber.
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Taking shelter
People frantically searched for shelter in the House gallery, as the protesters tried to break into the House chamber. According to a White House reporter on the House floor, people were given gas masks that were under the seats.
Image: Andrew Harnik/AP Photo/picture alliance
Protesters move in
Pro-Trump supporters took over the offices vacated by lawmakers who had been rushed to safety.
Image: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images
No holding back
Without police or security officials to hold them back, protesters walzed through the Rotunda and lawmaker's offices. This one carried away the lectern of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.
Image: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Tear gas against protesters
Security forces use tear gas on rioters rallying outside the US Capitol Building.
Image: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images
Chaos in the Capitol
An explosion caused by a police munition goes off while pro-Trump supporters rally in front of the US Capitol building. Washington police and the national guard have been deployed to disperse the protesters.
Image: Leah Millis/REUTERS
Dispersing protesters
Members of the National Guard and Washington DC police have been deployed to the Capitol to disperse protesters. A city-wide curfew went into effect from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am.
"Senate Republicans are strongly united behind the principle that the institution of the Senate, the office of the presidency, and former President Trump himself, all deserve a full and fair process that respects his rights and the serious factual, legal, and constitutional questions at stake," McConnell said on Thursday.
House Democrats, on the other hand, have signaled they want to move swiftly with proceedings.
The current timeline is a compromise between the two sides.
A McConnell aide said the trial could begin as soon as February 9 — a Tuesday — and that McConnell was pleased Democrats had given Trump's defense more time.
"This is a win for due process and fairness," a McConnell spokesman said.
