Senate Vote Shows Trump Likely Headed for Acquittal at Trial
- Senate rejects trial challenge but most Republicans back it
- Paul made bid to declare impeachment trial unconstitutional
Donald Trump smiles while speaking to members of the media before boarding Marine One on Jan. 20.
Photographer: Al Drago/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Former President Donald Trump appears headed for acquittal in his second impeachment trial after only five Republicans voted with Democrats to block an effort to declare it unconstitutional.
GOP Senator Rand Paul’s bid to question the constitutionality of trying a former president was blocked on a 55-45 vote. That probably serves as a rough proxy for the eventual verdict, and it’s well short of the two-thirds majority that would be necessary for conviction.
“Forty-five votes means the impeachment trial is dead on arrival,” Paul said to reporters immediately after the Senate acted.