On Tuesday, the Senate began the historic impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, the third time in U.S. history that a president has been impeached. The trial is expected to last several weeks and will determine whether Trump is removed from office.
The trial began with a reading of the two articles of impeachment against Trump, which were passed by the House of Representatives in December. The articles accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
The trial is being presided over by Chief Justice John Roberts, who swore in all 100 senators as jurors. The senators then took an oath to “do impartial justice according to the Constitution and laws.”
The trial will be conducted according to the rules set out in the U.S. Constitution. The House managers, who are acting as prosecutors, will present their case first. They will be followed by the president’s defense team, which will present its case. After both sides have presented their cases, the senators will have an opportunity to ask questions.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, and the outcome is uncertain. It will take a two-thirds majority of the Senate to convict Trump and remove him from office. If Trump is convicted, he will be the first president in U.S. history to be removed from office through impeachment.
The trial is being closely watched by the public, and it is likely to be a major factor in the 2020 presidential election. It is also likely to shape the future of the U.S. political system, as it will set a precedent for how future presidents are held accountable for their actions.