[ad_1]
Status: 04.02.2021 11:11 pm
In the impeachment process, Democratic prosecutors would soon like to hear from Donald Trump personally: The former president is supposed to testify under oath about the events surrounding the assault on Capitol Hill four weeks ago. The response from his lawyers was quick.
In the impeachment process against Donald Trump, prosecutors asked the former president of the United States to testify under oath. Congressman and prosecutor Jamie Raskin wrote in a letter to Trump that this should be done next week and should include “cross-examination.” “Since you deny the allegations, I am writing to invite you to testify under oath about your behavior on January 6, 2021, either before or during the impeachment process,” Raskin wrote.
If the former president refuses to testify, this could be used against him in the impeachment process, Raskin warned. In the past, even incumbent presidents like Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton have testified at such trials. “So there is no question that he can testify in this process.”
Statement is probably not in Trump’s interest
Trump’s attorneys later said the Democrats’ request was simply an attempt to get attention. The case against Trump was “unconstitutional,” said Bruce Castor and David Schoen. A Trump confidant, Jason Miller, added on US broadcaster NPR that the former president would not testify.
For Trump, a sworn statement could be risky, especially since Democrats would likely question him on many issues. If it is later proven to be untrue, it could be prosecuted. Therefore, Trump should do everything in his power to avoid a statement, even if this is likely to be more difficult after the end of his term. Trump did not appear in the first impeachment proceedings against him, which had been started because of the Ukraine affair. It ended with an acquittal by the then Republican-dominated Senate.
Next Tuesday begins the new impeachment process against the former president in front of the Senate for inciting the riot. Raskin now named Monday through Thursday next week as a possible period for a statement by the former president. “We would be happy to agree to such a declaration at a mutually convenient time and place,” wrote the Democrat, who leads the nine-member House team.
Trump unlikely to be convicted
The proceeding deals with the allegation that Trump incited protesters to storm the parliamentary seat on January 6 with a speech. Trump’s attorney had denied the allegations last week, stating that his client was simply fulfilling his duties as president. The attorney also reiterated Trump’s unsubstantiated claim that his election victory was stolen by fraud. The impeachment process is important even after Trump’s term ends, as Trump will not be able to run again for president if convicted.
It is highly unlikely that Trump will be convicted in the Senate. A two-thirds majority of 67 senators would be necessary. Since Democrats and Republicans have 50 senators each, at least 17 Republicans would have to vote for a guilty verdict. Right now, it appears that the majority of Republicans are loyal to Trump. Democrats hope to convince Republican senators during the process to vote against Trump.
