Large majority of Republicans in the Senate against Trump impeachment

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The Democratic Chairman of Impeachment, Patrick Leahy (r.), At the swearing-in of the members of the Senate

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An overwhelming majority of Republicans in the Senate have spoken out against continuing the impeachment proceedings against former US President Donald Trump.

After the senators were sworn in as jurors in the trial, 45 of the 50 Republicans in the chamber supported a corresponding objection from their party colleague Rand Paul on Tuesday.

Only five Republicans voted with the 50 Democrats.

This means that the procedure in the Senate will continue to take place from the second week of February.

A two-thirds majority for a conviction, which in turn would be a prerequisite for the suspension of office for Trump sought by the Democrats, appears extremely unlikely.

Paul argued that the process was unconstitutional because Trump left office on Jan. 20.

He pointed out that the senior senator, Democrat Patrick Leahy, will preside over the trial, not the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

The Chief Justice must lead impeachment proceedings against the President.

Paul wanted to let it be established that the proceedings would not affect a president but a private person and would therefore violate the constitution.

Paul's argument is "simply wrong"

The Democratic majority leader in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, called Paul's argument "downright wrong."

Otherwise, a president could avoid impeachment and suspension of office by committing crimes against the country just before the end of his term in office or by stepping down before a trial in the Senate.

According to the constitution, the decision on impeachment proceedings lies solely with the Senate.

Leahy had previously been sworn in as chairman of the impeachment.

Impeachment proceedings against the President are usually directed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Since Trump is no longer president, this role now went to Leahy.

The Senate then functions in a similar way to an ordinary court.

An oath is taken from the 100 senators, they prove the role of jury in the process and make the final decision.

The prosecution and defense are then heard and questioned in the Senate.

Ordinarily, with the Senate reading the indictment, the trial would begin immediately.

Democrats and Republicans have agreed on a two-week deadline to allow Trump to better prepare.

Biden himself does not believe in success

A two-thirds majority of the senators present is required for a conviction of Trump.

Republicans and Democrats each hold 50 seats in the Senate.

So 17 Republicans would also have to stand up against Trump.

According to a media report, however, Biden himself does not give the proceedings against his predecessor a great chance of success.

He did not believe that enough Republicans would vote in the Senate to condemn their fellow party members, CNN quoted the US president as saying on Monday.

In the House of Representatives indictment, the Democrats accuse Trump of "inciting a riot" because of his supporters' attack on the Capitol on January 6.

Trump is no longer president, but the impeachment process could result in a lifelong ban on office at the federal level in the event of a subsequent conviction.

That would undo any plans Trump would run for the presidency again in 2024.

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