Opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial for Donald Trump over the Capitol riot will begin the week of February 8, the first time a former President will face such charges after leaving office.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the schedule late on Friday after reaching an agreement with Republicans, who had pushed for a delay to give Mr. Trump a chance to organise his legal team and prepare a defence on the sole charge of incitement of insurrection.
The February start date also allows the Senate more time to confirm President Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominations and consider his proposed $1.9 trillion COVID relief package — top priorities of the new White House agenda that could become stalled during trial proceedings.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We all want to put this awful chapter in our nation’s history behind us,” Mr. Schumer said about the deadly January 6 Capitol siege by a mob of pro-Trump supporters.
Also read: U.S. House Democrats introduce article of impeachment
“But healing and unity will only come if there is truth and accountability. And that is what this trial will provide.”
ADVERTISEMENT
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will send the article of impeachment on Monday, with Senators sworn in as jurors on Tuesday. But opening arguments will move to February.
Mr. Trump’s impeachment trial would be the first of a U.S. president no longer in office, an undertaking that his Senate Republican allies argue is pointless, and potentially even unconstitutional. Democrats say they have to hold Mr. Trump to account, even as they pursue Mr. Biden’s legislative priorities, because of the gravity of what took place — a violent attack on the U.S. Congress aimed at overturning an election.