United States Senator Bill Cassidy (Republican of Louisiana) departs the United States Capitol in Washington D.C., U.S., in Washington D.C., U.S., on Monday, February 3, 2020 as the impeachment trial of United States President Donald J. Trump adjourned for the day. The Senate is expected to vote on a final verdict on Wednesday. Credit: Stefani Reynolds / CNP/Sipa USA
United States President Donald J. Trump Impeachment Trial
WASHINGT (AP) – Senators in Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial have agreed to consider the case, rejecting an attempt by the former president’s defense team and some Republican allies to halt the trial because he is no longer in office.
BREAKING: The Senate votes 56-44, passing a resolution that asserts the impeachment trial is constitutional and will proceed.
— TalkRadio 77 WABC (@77WABCradio) February 9, 2021
The vote was 56-44 on Tuesday on the question of whether the Senate has jurisdiction and could proceed. It came after four hours of arguments from Trump’s lawyers and the Democratic impeachment managers, who are arguing that the former president incited the Jan. 6 Capitol riots.
🚨Republican senators that voted in favor to continue the impeachment trial against former President Trump:
Romney
Cassidy
Collins
Murkowski
Sasse
Toomey— TalkRadio 77 WABC (@77WABCradio) February 9, 2021
The impeachment managers managed to pick up one additional vote from Republicans — Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy. Two weeks ago, he voted in favor of an effort to dismiss, but on Tuesday he voted with Democrats to move forward. Cassidy joined Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Mitt Romney of Utah in dismissing the Trump team’s claims.
Cassidy told reporters earlier that the impeachment managers’ arguments were “strong arguments” and it was a “very good opening.”
Cassidy said, “I have always said I was approaching this with an open mind.”
