Impeachment Trial of Donald Trump Begins in US Senate

As the bitterly divided chamber began the historic trial of the US President Donald Trump, for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump were read aloud on the Senate floor.

Michael Stenger, the Senate Sergeant opened the third impeachment trial of the US president with a warning to the 100 senators.

After the seven members of the House of Representatives who will serve as prosecutors gathered in the well of the Senate chamber, Stenger started, “Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye.” He then added, “All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States, articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States”.

Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who is serving as the lead prosecutor for the trial, then read out the two articles of impeachment passed by the House on December 18.

Schiff said, “I will now read the articles of impeachment, impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is sworn to preside over the trial. 64-year-old Roberts, was appointed to the nation’s top court by President George W. Bush. After he's sworn in he first initiated an oath to the 100 senators who swore to administer “impartial justice.”

The impeachment rules in the United States require a two-third majority in the Senate to convict and remove a president and Trump’s acquittal is widely expected in the Republican-dominated Senate.

Donald Trump is accused of abuse of power, which includes withholding military aid to Ukraine. In a report released this week, the Government Accountability Office concluded that the White House violated federal law by putting a hold on the congressionally approved funds for Ukraine.

Government Accountability Office in a statement said, “Faithful execution of the law does not permit the President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law.” 

On the other hand, the second article of the impeachment against Donald Trump is for the obstruction of Congress, which is related to his refusal to provide witnesses and documents to House impeachment investigators in defiance of congressional summon.

The seven House Democrats, who will now prosecute the case against the 45th President of the United States, delivered both the articles of impeachment to the Senate in a solemn procession.