Trump impeachment goes to Senate, testing his sway over GOP

House Democrats delivered impeachment case against Donald Trump to Senate late Monday for start of his historic trial, but Republican senators were easing off ir criticism of former president and shunning calls to convict him over deadly siege at US Capitol.

It's an early sign of Trump's enduring sway over party.

nine House prosecutors carried sole impeachment charge of “incitement of insurrection" across Capitol, making a solemn and ceremonial march to Senate along same halls rioters ransacked just weeks ago.

But Republican denunciations of Trump have cooled since January 6 riot. Instead Republicans are presenting a tangle of legal arguments against legitimacy of trial and questioning wher Trump's repeated demands to overturn Joe Biden's election really amounted to incitement.

What seemed for some Democrats like an open-and-shut case that played out for world on live television, as Trump encourd a rally mob to “fight like hell" for his presidency, is running into a Republican Party that feels very differently. t only are re legal concerns, but senators are wary of crossing former president and his legions of followers — who are ir voters. Security remains tight at Capitol.

Sen. John Cornyn asked if Congress starts holding impeachment trials of former officials, what's next: “Could we go back and try President Obama?” Besides, he suggested, Trump has already been held to account. “One way in our system you get punished is losing an election.” Arguments in Senate trial will begin week of February 8, and case against Trump, first former president to face impeachment trial, will test a political party still sorting itself out for post-Trump era. Republican senators are balancing demands of deep-pocketed dors who are distancing mselves from Trump and voters who demand loyalty to him.

One Republican, Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, anunced Monday he would t seek reelection in 2022, citing polarised political atmosphere.

For Democrats tone, ter and length of upcoming trial, so early in Biden's presidency, poses its own challenge, forcing m to strike a balance between ir vow to hold Trump accountable and ir erness to deliver on new administration's priorities following ir sweep of control of House, Senate and White House.

Biden himself told CNN late Monday that impeachment trial “has to happen.” While ackwledging effect it could have on his nda, he said re would be “a worse effect if it didn’t happen.” Biden said he didn't think eugh Republican senators would vote for impeachment to convict, though he also said outcome might well have been different if Trump had six months left in his term.

In a Monday evening scene reminiscent of just a year ago — Trump is w first president twice impeached — lead prosecutor from House, this time Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, stood before Senate to read House resolution charging “high crimes and misdemears.” Earlier, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said failing to conduct trial would amount to a “get-out-jail-free card” for ors accused of wrongdoing on ir way out door.

Republicans appear more er to argue over trial process than substance of case, he said, perhaps to avoid casting judgment on Trump's “role in fomenting despicable attack” on Capitol.

Schumer said re's only one question "senators of both parties will have to answer before God and ir own conscience: Is former President Trump guilty of inciting an insurrection against United States?” On Monday, it was learned that Chief Justice John Roberts is t expected to preside at trial, as he did during Trump’s first impeachment, potentially affecting gravitas of proceedings. shift is said to be in keeping with protocol because Trump is longer in office.

Instead, Sen. Patrick Leahy who serves in largely ceremonial role of Senate president pro tempore, is set to preside.

Leaders in both parties agreed to a short delay in proceedings that serves ir political and practical interests, even as National Guard troops remain at Capitol amid security threats on lawmakers ahead of trial.

start date gives Trump’s new legal team time to prepare its case, while also providing more than a month's distance from passions of bloody riot. For Democratic-led Senate, intervening weeks provide prime time to confirm some of Biden’s key Cabinet minees.

Sen. Chris Coons questioned how his colleagues who were in Capitol that day could see insurrection as anything or than a “stunning violation” of nation's history of peaceful transfers of power.

An early vote to dismiss trial probably would t succeed, given that Democrats w control Senate. House approved charge against Trump on January 13, with 10 Republicans joining Democrats.

Still, mounting Republican opposition to proceedings indicates that many GOP senators will eventually vote to acquit Trump. Democrats would need support of 17 Republicans — a high bar — to convict him.

One by one, Republican senators are explaining ir objections to unprecedented trial and scoffing at idea of trying to convict Trump w that he's longer in office.