House of Representatives delivers article of impeachment

House impeachment managers delivered an article of impeachment to the U.S. Senate Monday night, triggering the second trial of former President Donald Trump, a first in American history. 

The four-page article charges Trump with inciting an insurrection on Jan. 6, when a crowd of his supporters stormed the Capitol, leading to five deaths and dozens of arrests. 

“He…willfully made statements that, in context, encouraged—and foreseeably resulted in—lawless action at the Capitol,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., as he read the article on the Senate floor.

Senate leaders have agreed to postpone the start of the trial until the week of Feb. 8. Democrats want to give the Senate time to confirm key members of President Joe Biden’s cabinet, while Republicans say former President Trump deserves a chance to put together his defense. 

Sen. Pat Leahy, D-Vt., who is president pro tempore of the Senate, will preside over the trial. The Supreme Court chief justice typically oversees impeachment proceedings, but Chief Justice John Roberts declined, citing the fact that Trump is no longer in office. 

It remains unclear whether 17 Republicans would vote with Democrats to convict Trump and potentially bar him from holding office again. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., has told fellow Republicans that the vote will be left to each member’s conscience.