House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Thursday she would send the Senate an article of impeachment charging former President Donald Trump with inciting an insurrection "soon," but Republicans are suggesting a delay until February.
"At this time of strong political passions, Senate Republicans believe it is absolutely imperative that we do not allow a half-baked process to short-circuit the due process that former President Trump deserves or damage the Senate or the presidency," McConnell said in a statement.
The timing of the trial has been uncertain because the Senate trial may distract the chamber from confirming President Joe Biden’s nominees and debating his legislative agenda. But Democrats are also eager to put the trial behind them.
"At this time of strong political passions, Senate Republicans believe it is absolutely imperative that we do not allow a half-baked process to short-circuit the due process that former President Trump deserves or damage the Senate or the presidency," McConnell said in a statement.
The timing of the trial has been uncertain because the Senate trial may distract the chamber from confirming President Joe Biden’s nominees and debating his legislative agenda. But Democrats are also eager to put the trial behind them.
Pelosi declined a chance to be more precise about timing on Thursday, saying she would meet with House members who will serve as prosecutors, called managers.
“It will be soon,” Pelosi said. “I don’t think it will be long. But we must do it.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said a delay makes sense.
“The president was shut out in the House so his team needs some time to prepare,” Graham said. “I think it's fair to everybody.”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he has been meeting with McConnell to reach a bipartisan agreement about how to conduct the trial.
"But make no mistake about it," Schumer said. "There will be a trial, there will be votes up or down on whether to convict the president."
Trump is charged with encouraging rioters who laid siege to the Capitol on Jan. 6 and then stormed through the halls, smashing doors, windows and antiques along the way.
metmike: I had mixed feelings on this, initially thinking Trump deserved to be held accountable for what he did but.... is hanging an impeachment on him more important than the political health and divisiveness in our country?
Impeaching him without question would be the WORST thing for our country right now.
Worst thing for the Biden administration if it really means what Joe said in his speech about representing the 74,000,000 people that did NOT vote for him.
This is exactly what they don't want and if you want to rub salt in their wounds and want people to hate you........then impeach Trump.
Trump was the master at getting his opponents to hate him.
This new guy is supposed to be different. Please don't disappoint us President Biden.
If you don't oppose the impeachment hearings, then your speech on unity was full of doo doo.
By a wide margin, its the best thing that you could do to heal this massive divide.........at least a little.
Political theater at it's "finest".