Rumours that former President will form his own Party, could be true then.

Mr Trump's defence team argued that he cannot face trial after leaving the White House.

But a 56-44 majority voted in favour of continuing, with a handful of Republicans backing the measure.

Mr Trump is accused of "inciting insurrection" when Congress was stormed last month.

Democrats prosecuting the case opened Tuesday's proceedings by showing a video montage of Mr Trump's 6 January speech and the deadly rioting by some of his supporters.

"That's a high crime and misdemeanour," Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland said of the footage. "If that's not an impeachable offense, then there's no such thing."

Lawyers for the former president argued it was unconstitutional to put a former president through the process at all and accused Democrats of being politically motivated.

The 56-44 split means six Republicans joined Democrats in voting to go ahead with the trial.

Although this shows some bipartisanship, this result implies loyalty toward the former president in his party remains high enough to avoid a conviction.

Starting Wednesday at noon, each side will be given 16 hours to make their arguments in the case.

It is not clear how long the trial will last or if witnesses will be called, but lawmakers on both sides are said to favour a speedy trial.

Senate says trial is constitutional and can go ahead

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-56005458



Indeed ..... make the point, make it history and then move on .....

Trump's come-uppance will come at another time, another place .....

Donald Trump's third impeachment lawyer Michael van der Veen 'called him a f***ing crook' and sued him last year for attempting to disenfranchise Pennsylvania votes through baseless claims of mail-in voter fraud.

Van der Veen's previous remarks and cases are certain to raise eyebrows - especially given Trump's infamous demand for unswerving loyalty, and previous purges of anyone critical of him.

Van der Veen, based in Philadelphia, is best known for his personal injury, pro bono and criminal defense litigation. Castor, the former Montgomery County district attorney who famously declined to prosecute Bill Cosby, joined his firm in December.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-sued-him.html



The irony .....

“We are really here because the majority in the House of Representatives does not want to face Donald Trump as a political rival in the future,” Bruce Castor, one of Trump’s lawyers, told senators.