President Donald Trump has been impeached for a second time. He is the first US President in history to be impeached twice. The impeachment took place after the House of Representatives secured enough votes to charge him. But when will his impeachment trial begin?
It is unclear when the Senate trial will take place.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office has confirmed that he will not bring the upper chamber back before Tuesday.
This means the trial will likely continue beyond Inauguration Day and into President-elect Biden’s first term.
A statement issued by Mr McConnell reads: “Given the rules, procedures, and Senate precedents that govern presidential impeachment trials, there is simply no chance that a fair or serious trial could conclude before President-elect Biden is sworn in next week.
“Even if the Senate process were to begin this week and move promptly, no final verdict would be reached until after President Trump had left office.
“This is not a decision I am making; it is a fact.”