Former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial began Tuesday with Democrats pushing to make the case he incited a mob to attack the US Capitol on January 6th.
Louisiana Senator John Kennedy announced he will be voting against convicting President Trump. Senator Bill Cassidy said he hasn’t made a decision yet.
“If you are a juror you are supposed to go in with an open mind and I think if we just go in and do our job, focus on principles, then that is all that we can do,” said Cassidy.
All of the state’s Republican Congressional Delegation voted against articles of impeachment in the House.
To convict in the Senate you need two-thirds majority support. Cassidy said conviction supporters are already more than halfway there.
“I can promise you if all 50 Democrats don’t vote to impeach the President at least 49 will or 48, and I will be surprised if it is that low, very surprised if it is lower than that,” said Cassidy.
Democrats point to a pre-riot speech the President made on January 6th as their key piece of evidence, along with other claims the President interfered in the response to the riot.
It seems likely Trump will see more Republican defections this time around. Cassidy said the exact number is still up in the air.
“We know about five Republicans who are committed to it, and there are a few Republicans who we know are going to vote against, they have already announced themselves,” said Cassidy.
President Trump is not expected to testify at the trial despite requests from Democrats to do so.
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