The second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump begins

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In what is expected to be a much faster trial than the first, U.S. senators made clear where they stand on former President Donald Trump being tried for what happened on Jan. 6 in the U.S. Capitol.

Democrats showed video evidence to their colleagues, including some new evidence.

”There’s videotapes from law enforcement that we’re going to see that has not yet been on TV,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.)

On the Senate floor, the two sides debated the U.S. Constitution and whether the former president can be impeached, even though he is no longer in office.

Democrats argued that it is important to hold him accountable.

”If that’s not an impeachable offense, then there’s no such thing,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.)

Republicans are more focused on the constitutionality and trying to distance the president from comments on Jan. 6 before the rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

The former president’s attorney began by denouncing the violence.

“To have it attacked is repugnant in every sense of the word … and the loss of life is horrific,” said Bruce Castor, attorney for former President Trump.

A conviction isn’t likely, and supporters of former President Trump add that voters should decide what happens with the former president, not politicians.

“It seems to me that it should be up to them to decide whether or not he is a candidate who’s elected to office in the future,” said Robert Roy, attorney for former President Trump.

Both sides will be back in the U.S. Senate chamber tomorrow.

They will each receive eight hours of presentation time.