John Cornyn directs threat to majority leader Chuck Schumer<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Donald Trump trial set to begin after 8 February<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Reuters\u00a0in\u00a0Washington
\nVia The Guardian<\/p>\n
The Texas Republican senator John Cornyn warned on Saturday that Donald Trump\u2019s second impeachment could lead to the prosecution of former Democratic presidents if Republicans retake Congress in two years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n
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<\/div>\nTrump this month became the first US president to be impeached twice, after the Democratic-controlled House, with the support of 10 Republicans, voted to charge him with incitement of insurrection over the\u00a0assault on the Capitol by his supporters<\/a>\u00a0on 6 January which left five people dead.<\/p>\n Trump failed to overturn his election defeat and Joe Biden was sworn in as president this week.<\/p>\n After a brief moment of bipartisan sentiment in which members from both parties condemned the unprecedented attack on Congress as it met to formalize Biden\u2019s victory, a number of Senate\u00a0Republicans<\/a>\u00a0are opposing Trump\u2019s trial, which could lead to a vote blocking him from future office.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it is a good idea to impeach and try former presidents, what about former Democratic presidents when Republicans get the majority in 2022?\u201d Cornyn, a 19-year veteran of the Senate who last year\u00a0tried to distance himself from Trump<\/a>\u00a0when it seemed his seat was at risk, tweeted at majority leader Chuck Schumer.<\/p>\n \u201cThink about it and let\u2019s do what is best for the country.\u201d<\/p>\n Democrats hold narrow majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate but it is common for a president\u2019s party to lose seats in elections two years after a presidential contest. Impeachment begins in the House. The Senate stages any trial.<\/p>\n Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has said the mob in the Capitol putsch was \u201cprovoked\u201d by Trump \u2013 who told supporters to march on Congress and \u201cfight like hell\u201d. Other Senate Republicans claim trying Trump after he has left office would be unconstitutional and further divide the country.<\/p>\n There are also concerns on both sides of the aisle that the trial could distract from Biden\u2019s legislative agenda. Schumer, who became majority leader this week, tweeted on Friday that the Senate would confirm Biden\u2019s cabinet, enact a new Covid-19 relief package and conduct Trump\u2019s impeachment trial.<\/p>\n The trial is due to be held in the second week of February.<\/p>\n