Published 18:27 IST, January 14th 2020
Republicans determined to begin impeachment trial, won't dismiss charges
Senate Republicans signalled that they are poised to begin an impeachment trial against Trump and they would reject the idea of simply voting to dismiss.
- World News
- 3 min read
Senate Republicans signalled on January 13 that they are poised to begin an impeachment trial against US President Donald Trump in the coming days and they rejected the idea of simply voting to dismiss the articles of impeachment. While speaking to an international media outlet, Republican Senator Roy Blunt said that there is no interest among the senators for a motion to dismiss the House charges. The democratic-led US House of Representatives is expected to formally send the charges to the Senate this week and Majority Leader Mitch Mcconnel has reportedly vowed to help acquit his fellow Republican.
Among a handful of Republicans, who Democrats hope to persuade to back their call for witness testimony, Senator Susan Collins reportedly said that the allegations made are serious and deserve to be given consideration with the arguments for and against. The Republican members of the US Senate voiced opposition to any attempt to dismiss the charges against Trump without a trial after US President Donald Trump signalled towards support for dismissal and said that a full trial would give the Democrats who pursued impeachment undeserved credibility. Republican Senator Mitt Romney also reportedly said that he doesn't support the motion to dismiss.
'Should not even be allowed'
Meanwhile, Trump had said that the impeachment inquiry against him 'should not even be allowed'. The US President who has repeatedly called it a 'hoax' and a 'partisan vote' has stiffened his stance of 'doing nothing wrong'. Trump even reiterated that it 'has never happened before' and is also 'unfair' to millions of voters who chose their Republican President. Moreover, the US President also said that he agrees the credence given by the Senate to 'trial based on no evidence' will further give credibility to the Democrats.
Updated 18:27 IST, January 14th 2020