World News: OnPolitics: Trump's impeachment will go on

Tuesday, February 9

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., second from right, and other House Managers walk through the United States Capitol rotunda on the way to the Senate Chambers to begin the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Trump faces a single article of impeachment charging him with

OnPolitics: Trump's impeachment will go on

What happened during the first day of Trump's second impeachment trial?

It's official: The impeachment will go on.

Day 1 of former President Donald Trump's Senate impeachment trial wrapped with a 56-44 vote. Six Republicans joined all 50 Democrats and independents in saying they believed Trump's second impeachment trial is constitutional.

It's Mabinty, your guide to this historic trial. Here's what happened at the Capitol today, and what you can expect.

The day started with chilling videos

To impeach: The day started with House Democrats urging Senate Republicans to convict Trump of inciting insurrection by reviving the brutal events of Jan. 6 with a chilling video of rioters swarming the Capitol and thrashing police officers.

•	A viral moment: An emotional Rep. Jamie Raskin choked up repeatedly as he recalled assuring his daughter, Tabitha, and son-in-law Hank that it would be safe to watch the House count Electoral College votes on Jan. 6.

Not to impeach: Trump's legal team, led by Bruce Castor Jr. and David Schoen, argued Trump can't be tried since he already left office. They said the Senate has no jurisdiction over Trump as a private citizen. They also argued that he should be acquitted, saying he was not trying to incite violence. Among his tweets that day, Trump told rioters to "go home with love & in peace."

It ended with a vote

Surprising no one, the Senate voted largely along party lines Tuesday to uphold the constitutionality of Donald Trump's impeachment trial.

The vote is widely seen as a bellwether for how senators, especially Republicans, will vote in the actual trial.

Last month, nearly 150 constitutional experts from both ends of the political spectrum signed an open letter arguing that the trial would be on solid legal ground.

So, what's next this week?

The Senate approved guidelines for how the trial will operate, a schedule that could allow proceedings to wrap up early next week. The resolution outlines this tentative schedule:

•	Wednesday and Thursday: House impeachment managers will have 16 hours over two days to make their case. They haven't signaled whether they would ask the Senate to call witnesses.
•	Friday and Saturday: Trump's lawyers will have 16 hours over two days to argue their case.

Where was Trump during the impeachment trial?

Not in Washington, D.C.

Two more (non-impeachment) must-reads:

•	Two members of the Proud Boys pleaded not guilty to charges that they conspired to interfere with police officers assigned to protect the Capitol during last month's deadly riots.
•	The Biden administration began requesting the resignations of remaining Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys as part of the continuing transition.
•	Neera Tanden, President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Office of Management and Budget, apologized for her Twitter feuds with Republicans.