By Aaron Miller-
The impeachment trial of president Donald Trump in the Senate today is likely to amount to a practise procedure session that changes nothing,
Trump stands accused of abusing the powers of his office, by blackmailing the Ukranian president to investigate the Bidens, all for political motives.
He is also accused of obstructing a congressional investigation of his deeds.Prosecutors from the House of Representatives, known as “managers” will arrive to the Senate at midday local time to formally exhibit the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, approved last month by the House.
Avid supporters in the Senate where the president has a stronghold have already declared in advance that they will rule in favour of the president, making the senate process little more than a charade
However, Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell struck a different tone on Wednesday night, as he vowed that each senator would weigh the case against Trump with care, but there is hardly any faith in the Senate to judge the case without any bias.
“We’ll pledge to rise above the petty factionalism and do justice for our institutions, for our states and for the nation,” McConnell said. His words are better taken as nice rhetoric for the listening press. Most observers and reporters in America are actually more concerned with what new information is released, and whether any new witnesses are called forward.
There is no suspense about the eventual outcome; everybody with a brain knows that the president will walk from the senate trial untouched because his boys are in charge here.
At 2pm, U.S supreme court chief justice John Roberts will join the proceedings and be sworn in for his presiding role at the trial. He then will swear in the 100 senators , comprising of 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents, acting as jurors.
President Trump is unconcerned with the trial because he knows that a two-thirds majority will be required to remove him from office- a scenario that is very unlikely because of the strong allegiances he has established there.
Loyal republicans have already expressed their commitment to clear the president of all allegations, making the senate process little more than a charade .
Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell vowed on Wednesday night that each senator would weigh the case against Trump with care, but there is hardly any faith in the Senate to judge the case without any bias.
“We’ll pledge to rise above the petty factionalism and do justice for our institutions, for our states and for the nation,” McConnell said. His words are better taken as nice rhetoric for the listening press.
A statement from the White House on Wednesday claimed that “President Trump has done nothing wrong” and “expects to be fully exonerated”.
The team of impeachment managers is led by intelligence committee chair Adam Schiff and judiciary committee chair Jerry Nadler. White House counsel, Pat Cipollone will lead his team of the president.
The managers delivered the articles of impeachment to the Senate in a ceremonial procession Wednesday evening. “We are here today to cross a very important threshold in American history,” House speaker Nancy Pelosi said before a vote to transmit the articles.
The second-ranking member of the Senate, Iowan Chuck Grassley, will swear in Roberts on Thursday. The trial is expected to last for 2 weeks after the chief justice administers his oath to the senators.