Crash Course: You Must Know About Trump’s Impeachment Trial | NOW

As the first president in history, Donald Trump must answer for the second time in a political trial in the Senate. It starts next Tuesday. With this crash course, you can catch up in minutes.

Why this is important: Trump is accused of inciting rebellion and was indicted by the House of Representatives in early January. The indictment centers on his role in the storming of the Washington Capitol (the parliament building) by his supporters on January 6.

The process and all that surrounds it mainly gives insight into political relations. How will Democrats and Republicans interact in the years to come? What are Republicans doing with Trump’s legacy, both nationally and within their own party?

These are not in fact concrete results, as the chances of conviction are very low. Plus, Trump is already president. Such a symbolic trial is unlikely to lead many voters to turn to the party, if scandals of the recent past are any guide.

Context: Two thirds (67) of the 100 senators on the jury are required for sentencing. Democrats have the smallest possible majority of 50 seats (Vice President Harris has the casting vote, but only if there is a tie). That means 17 Republicans are expected to vote for impeachment.

• Republicans have already tried to overturn it on the grounds that it was unconstitutional. The motion fell in the Senate, with 55 to 45 votes. Only five Republicans joined the Democrats. It can be concluded that the chances of Trump’s conviction are minimal.
• You can’t remove someone who is no longer president, most Republicans say. Many of them cannot afford to alienate Trump supporters. The former president is still extremely popular among Republican voters.
• Democrats call it a matter of principle: Congress must not allow an attack on the democratic constitutional state to pass. Extra bait: If Trump is convicted, he could be banned from returning to political office. He cannot then become a presidential candidate again. But this chance, as said, is minimal.
• The nine impeachment officials (House Democrats acting as prosecutors) called on Trump to testify under oath. He immediately dismissed it. It’s not yet clear if Democrats want to hear from more witnesses.

The big picture: Within the Republican Party, an internal battle rages over Trump’s legacy and the future influence of “ Trumpism. ”

• Some elite old-party Republicans who previously blindly backed Trump, like Senator Mitch McConnell, accuse the former president of losing both the White House and the majority in both houses of Congress during his single term. Trumpism appeals to too small a constituency, they say, and this offers little chance of electoral success. But this same group constitutes an overwhelming majority of current party members.
• Other politicians, such as Senators Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley, see themselves as Trump’s ideological successors. They would gladly take over from his loyal supporters. However, it is doubtful that the former president will voluntarily give up his influence.

If you forget everything else, remember: Unless some crazy things happen, Trump will be released in shock again. In this regard, what will soon be happening in the corridors is more interesting than the political trial itself.

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