GREAT FALLS — All 100 U.S. Senators are being sworn in Tuesday for the upcoming impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.
On Monday, Democrats from the House of Representatives delivered an article of impeachment to the Senate; the article accuses Mr. Trump of inciting insurrection, referring to the Jan. 6 riot on Capitol Hill.
U.S. Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) believes there has to be accountability in order to have unity in the country. "We'll take this very, very seriously as we do with any impeachment. We'll listen to the information given to us and make a decision based off of that,” said Tester.
U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) says the trial is all about revenge. "The Constitution's clear on this in Section I, Article III. It's about impeaching the President. Well, President Trump is now a private citizen. I would hope that President Biden could end this right now. Pick up the phone. Call Chuck Schumer or call Nancy Pelosi. tell them to stop,” said Daines.
Unlike Mr. Trump's first impeachment trial in early 2020, Supreme Court Justice John Roberts is not expected to preside over the proceedings, according to CNN and USA Today. The Constitution requires that the chief justice presides over in an impeachment trial of a sitting president.
Because Mr. Trump has since left office, the longest-serving member of the majority party - in this case, U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) - will preside.
The trial is scheduled to begin on Feb. 8.
