WASHINGTON – Now that the House has impeached President Donald Trump for the second time, Speaker Nancy Pelosi must figure out the best strategy for arguing the case before the Senate.
Senate rules say the trial must start soon after the chamber receives the article of impeachment, which charges “incitement of insurrection” after an angry mob of Trump's supporters invaded the Capitol last week.
But Pelosi has not said when the House will deliver it. If the House sends it to the Senate early next week, or before then, a trial could begin at 1 p.m.
on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20. President-elect Joe Biden will be sworn in at noon.What is certain for now is that the impeachment trial will be held after Trump has already left office.