Senate leader Mitch McConnell suggests majority leader Chuck Schumer delay the start of the impeachment process against former president Trump until February, multiple sources familiar with the plan tell CBS News. McConnell confirmed his proposal in a statement later on Thursday.
This timeline would give impeachment managers and Mr. Trump’s defense at least a week to prepare. McConnell floated the proposal to GOP senators at a caucus conference call Thursday. McConnell, who is now in the minority, does not have the final say on when a trial will take place. Schumer should agree to the proposal. The House has not yet shipped the single article of accusation for inciting insurrection to the Senate.
Schumer reviews the proposal.
“We have received Leader McConnell’s proposal that only pertains to motions ahead of this afternoon’s trial. We will review and discuss it with him,” a Schumer spokesman said Thursday.
According to the timeline proposed by McConnell, House impeachment managers would read the article to the Senate, and senators would be sworn in in court of impeachment on Jan. 28, a Thursday. From that day, Mr. Trump would have a week to reply to the article and the preliminary letter would come from the House, meaning it should be Feb. 4. trial briefing, meaning February 11th. The House would have two days after that (Feb. 13) to file their rebuttal ahead of the trial.
Senate Republicans are strongly united behind the principle that the institution of the Senate, the cabinet of the presidency, and former President Trump himself all deserve a full and fair trial that his rights and the serious factual, legal and constitutional issues at stake , respects, ”McConnell said in his statement. “Given the unprecedented speed of the House’s trial, our proposed timeline for the early stages will include a modest and reasonable amount of additional time for both parties to gather their arguments before the Senate would begin to hear them.”
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham praised McConnell’s proposal to postpone the trial until February, saying he met with McConnell on Thursday.
“We looked at historical periods of preliminary investigation. The difference is that there was really no input into the Chamber, it was a quick turn off. But when you look at the time periods involved, it’s very similar to what we’ve done in the past. Graham told reporters.
Graham confirmed that attorney Butch Bowers will join Trump’s legal team as “the tenant.” Graham praised Butcher as a ‘solid guy’. The South Carolina senator said he had no idea if Mr. Trump would attend the trial, but recommended not to.
“The president is looking forward to putting this behind,” said Graham. “Believes it’s unconstitutional and hurts his presidency, but you know he’s getting his day in court and that’s how the system works.”
The House impeached Trump last week, on Jan. 13, with 10 Republicans joining the Democrats.
Senators are currently working from their countries on the week of Feb. 15 for Presidents’ Day, potentially complicating the timeline.
At the moment, the Senate is also working to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees. Democratic Senator Chris Coons told CNN on Thursday that Democrats could be open to a slight delay in the process if there is progress in confirming nominees.
“I think Democrats are open to considering a delay that will give former President Trump time to assemble his legal team and his defense for the impeachment process as we make progress in affirming the highly talented, seasoned and diverse team that President Joe Biden has nominated to serve in his cabinet, ”Coons said.
McConnell has not said publicly whether he supports or opposes impeachment, although he has said that the mob that attacked the Capitol was “provoked by the president.”