Democrats looking to speed through Senate impeachment trial

[DonViejo]

BY ALEXANDER BOLTON - 01/15/21 06:00 AM EST

Senate Democrats hope to conduct President Trump’s impeachment trial as swiftly as possible to avoid slowing the start of President-elect Joe Biden’s new administration, but Republicans have yet to show they will cooperate.

Senate Democrats are discussing the possibility of holding regular business on the floor before the chamber convenes the impeachment trial at noon or 1 p.m. each day, which would give them a chance to consider essential business such as a service waiver for Lloyd Austin, Biden’s choice to head the Defense Department, before the end of the trial.

Democrats want to move ahead with Biden’s agenda during the trial, which could last days. Failing that, there’s discussion about “working around the clock,” according to one Democratic aide, to complete the trial in a matter of days.

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) told MSNBC in an interview Thursday that the Senate could do so if needed to conduct a trial and legislate, echoing what Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer (N.Y.) has said.

more
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/534339-democrats-looking-to-speed-through-senate-impeachment-trial

[servermsh]

1. They can send the impeachment investigation to a committee

Hope someone tells them.

(Years ago they had to be told about procedures surrounding changing the filibuster)

[kentuck]

2. Convict the con.

traitor!

[lark]

3. What do they do if he pardons himself?

Can they continue with the trial or doesn't his action take this off the table? If so, that could actually be ok and they could censure the president and move on, letting NY take care of taking him down. This is not a good answer as he, once again, escapes accountability for criminal actions, but at least the Senate can't fail to do their jobs again and he can't say he was acquitted (he will say exonerated, which of course is a lie) twice. Then he can also be subpoenaed and he can't not respond and has no protection from being required to answer.

Merrick Garland, protect our country from a repeat of attempted takeover by fascists.

[PJMcK]

4. Presidential pardon power does not include impeachments

The Constitution is clear that pardons cannot be granted for impeachments. So, even if a self-pardon were legit, (it probably isn't because one cannot be both defendant and judge), Trump couldn't pardon himself out of an impeachment.

Article II, Section 2 reads, in part, the President "shall have Power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the United States, except in Cases of Impeachment."

[lark]

5. Good news, thank you for the information.

[rgbecker]

6. I would put it off for 100 days.

By that time, Trump's influence will have subsided and maybe a few Republicans wouldn't be afraid to vote to convict. Furthermore, more evidence of Trump's role in the insurrection will be apparent and could be used as evidence. This, and Biden could assemble his cabinet and get the vaccine, stimulus and work done undoing all the damage Trump has done.

[PJMcK]

7. I sort-of agree but I also disagree

If the House waits 100 days to send the impeachment to the Senate, all of those things you mention will occur. All of that would be good.

But this will also happen: The outrage and disgust people feel about the attempted coup will fade. The masses will move on and the general attitude could become, "Eh, leave it in the past. We've got current problems to address." I really don't want that to happen because these traitors need to be held to account.

Actually, I kind of like the bifurcation approach. Senate business in the mornings to confirm President Biden's cabinet and impeachment trial after lunch. Then the Senate should come back after dinner and confirm more appointees. These Senators need to learn how to work as hard as do the rest of us.