The Senate voted to proceed with the second impeachment of former President Donald Trump, after the defense argued that the process is unconstitutional because the former president can no longer be removed for leaving power.
Previously, prosecutors in the House of Representatives presented the arguments in favor of the prosecution and affirmed that there are legal precedents in American history (including the first impeachment in 1797) and that the former president must be accountable for crimes committed during his tenure. are committed.
The votes were 56 to 40. Of the 56 votes in favor, 50 were Democrats and six Republicans. A Republican, Senator Bill Cassidy, joined the Republican majority and the five GOP colleagues who had voted for the prosecution three weeks earlier.
To find Trump guilty, Democrats need the votes of 34 Republican senators. The block of 44 votes against the trial means Trump is unlikely to be found guilty now.
Trump has been accused of instigating insurgency on January 6, when countless of his supporters stormed the Capitol.