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The Senate will take no action towards democratic demands to impeach President Trump, according to The New York Post.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said any House resolution on the matter could not be transmitted to the upper chamber until Jan. 19.
“The Senate trial would therefore begin after President Trump’s term has expired,” McConnell wrote, according to the Washington Post.
When Kamala Harris becomes vice president and gives the Democrats the majority, it would take a unanimous vote of all 100 senators to override McConnell’s calendar.
A post-term impeachment trial for a former president would be a historical first.
From The New York Post:
House impeachment managers could present their case — which would accuse Trump of “inciting an insurrection” at the Capitol on Wednesday — to the assembled Senate that same day, McConnell’s memo noted.
But under existing impeachment rules, debate and votes could not begin until 1 p.m. the next day after — making the earliest possible moment for an impeachment vote one hour after President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office at noon on Jan. 20.
