Donald Trump | The Republican Senate leader wants to postpone the impeachment hearing

Mary Clare Jalonic, Lisa Mascaro
Associated Press

Democrats in the House of Representatives who voted to impeach Donald Trump for inciting the January 6 uprising on Capitol Hill have signaled that President Joe Biden should go to trial as soon as his inauguration begins. Command.

Democrats say the process is necessary so that the country – and Congress – can finally turn the page on this episode.

On Thursday night, however, Mr McConnell suggested a longer deadline, which would lead to an indictment on January 28 next week. After that, the Senate will file briefs for two weeks to the president’s defense team and house prosecutors. Arguments at the trial are set to begin in mid-February.

“Senate Republicans are firmly united behind the principle that the Senate’s organization, the presidency and former President Trump himself deserve a full and fair process of respecting his rights and serious real issues.” Legal and constitutional issues, ”said Mr. McConnell, especially due to the unprecedented speed of the House process.

Senate Majority Leader Democrat Chuck Schumer is reviewing the proposal and will discuss it with Mr McConnell, a spokesman said. The two leaders are also discussing how the new Senate, comprising 50 Democrats and 50 Republicans, will work and how they will balance priorities.

The impeachment hearing delay appeals to some Democrats because it gives the Senate more time to verify Joe Biden’s cabinet appointments and discuss new emergency measures to help coronavirus-infected Americans. Chris Coons, a Democratic senator from Delaware who is a close ally of the president, told CNN that the Democrats would consider the postponement “if we go ahead and certify the very talented, experienced, and diverse team appointed by President Joe Biden.” .

The ultimate power to determine the timeline rests with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who can begin the trial at any time by returning to the Senate the indictment that provoked the uprising. The California Democrat did not say when she would be.

“It’s coming soon. I do not think it will last long, but we should do it,” Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday.

The adviser said Donald Trump, who is facing his second impeachment trial in two years, has begun to rally his defense team by appointing lawyer Butch Bowers to represent him. Butch Bowers previously served as a lawyer for former South Carolina governors Nikki Haley and Mark Sanford.