2021-02-02 12:55:24 | when is the Senate trial and what are his chances of a comeback?

Donald Trump’s defence

Mr Trump’s defence fell into disarray over the weekend when five of his lawyers dropped out. The former president scrambled to assemble a new team before Tuesday’s deadline, in order to submit a formal response to the summons to trial.

His new team, led by lawyers David Schoen and Bruce Castor, will have just over a week to get ready before the trial begins. 

What are Donald Trump’s chances?

Democrats seeking his conviction on one count of “incitement of insurrection” face an uphill climb. Currently, the Senate is split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans.

The backing of 67 senators is needed for conviction, meaning 17 Republicans would have to turn on Mr Trump. 

Republicans have backed the proceedings in the past. During the House vote, on Jan 13, 10 Republicans voted for impeachment and the article carried by 232 votes to 197.

But although many struggled over how to respond to Mr Trump’s role, and his failure to try and quell the violence, most Republicans senators are lining up against conviction.

While few defend his actions, many argue that Congress does not have the power to impeach a former president. They also maintain that another trial will hurt efforts to unify the country in the post-Trump era.

Read more: Conviction in Senate unlikely as ex-president proves too popular to purge