Isn’t all this sending the articles over in a cherry box stuff just for show? I don’t think it is the Constitution,so Mitch should be able to start the Senate trial without the papers in a box things.
The Constitution basically says upon passing the vote, the Senate handles from that point on. The head of the Senate would then control timing and events.
I think what Mitch will do is call for an immedate meeting to start the impeachment, with the Democrats saying he has to agree with things or there’s no articles passed over. He’ll say the articles don’t matter, and the Democrat Senators will leave the chamber.
At that point, he can call for an acquittal vote, with a 2/3’s vote....of the 56-odd people there, and merely needs 37 to conclude his impeachment episode. All done in less than 30 minutes.
Now, I admit....it will trigger massive hostility, but since you already have it....well, it won’t matter.