‘Zero chance of conviction’ as Donald Trump faces second impeachment trial
- Former US president faces second impeachment trial this week on charges he incited a mob to attack the Capitol and overturn his defeat
- Trump’s Republican backers denounce trial as Democrats push for Senate to hold him accountable
Donald Trump’s defenders in the Senate rallied around the former president before his impeachment trial, dismissing it as a waste of time and arguing that the former president’s fiery speech before the US Capitol insurrection does not make him responsible for the violence of January 6.
“If being held accountable means being impeached by the House and being convicted by the Senate, the answer to that is no,” said Republican Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi, making clear his belief that Trump should and will be acquitted. Asked if Congress could consider other punishment, such as censure, Wicker said the Democratic-led House had that option earlier but rejected it in favour of impeaching him.
“That ship has sailed,” he said.
The Senate is set to launch the impeachment trial Tuesday to consider the charge that Trump’s fighting words to protesters at a Capitol rally as well as weeks of falsehoods about a stolen and rigged presidential election provoked a mob to storm the Capitol. Five people as a result of the melee, including a police officer.
Many senators including Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell immediately denounced the violence and pointed a finger of blame at Trump. Following the riot, Wicker said Americans “will not stand for this kind of attack on the rule of law” and without naming names, said “we must prosecute” those who undermine democracy.