What is strange to me is that the Trump lawyers haven’t even pointed out the obvious:
The charge is a crime against a private citizen yet the Senate has taken it upon themselves to usurp the authority of the Judicial Branch (courts) and try the crime within their political body.
The Senate, voting that the Constitutional proscriptions don’t apply in this specific case have wholly negated, not just the 3rd Article, but the entire Constitution.
Under this new understanding, “peaceful assembly” (confronting lawmakers) and redress of grievances (”stop the steal”) are now subject to trial by Senate, not a jury of peers.
This broader interpretation of the “rules” WILL allow your arrest at any townhall meeting where you demand action from your elected official.
I suggest you request “trial by Senate” for any federal crime you commit.
Maybe for any federal charges that result?
Excellent point. Frankly, I’m not at all impressed with the performance of Trump’s defense team. Wish Dershowitz was on the case, like last year.
It’s a Bill of Attainder. The legislature is trying to pass a bill to punish a citizen who has displeased them.
They’re not supposed to do that.
The Constitution is explicit: If you want an impeachment trial, the Chief Justice shall preside.
That ain’t happening, so this is not an impeachment trial. It’s just tyranny to crush Republican hopes for the future. The GOP is fine with that.
This is not to say that had Team Trump anchored their challenge of the proceedings on usurpation grounds would have changed the outcome of the motion to dismiss. This whole exercise is a transparent farce, needless to say. A blatantly biased “juror” is also the “judge” presiding over the “trial”. Literally, the judge and juror. The jurors as a whole are a group of politicians. Nothing even vaguely resembling “justice” could ever be expected to result from such a laughably compromised process.