Senators in Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial have agreed to pursue the case, rejecting an attempt by the former president’s defense team and some Republican allies to avoid trial because he is no longer in office.
The result of Tuesday’s vote on whether the Senate has jurisdiction and can proceed was 56 in favor and 44 against. The vote ended after hours-long arguments from Trump’s lawyers and Democratic prosecutors, who accuse the former president of instigating the unrest on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6.
Prosecutors of the accusation managed to get an additional vote from the Republicans, Senator Bill Cassidy. Two weeks ago, Cassidy voted to dismiss the case, but voted on Tuesday to continue. Republican Senators Susan Colllins, Lisa Murkowski, Ben Sasse, Pat Toomey and Mitt Romney also voted in favor.
Hours earlier, Cassidy told reporters that the prosecutors’ arguments were “strong” and that it was a “very good opening.”
“I’ve always said I would approach this with an open mind,” added Cassidy.