On Tuesday at 1pm ET, the Senate will convene to approve rules for the impeachment trial of Donald Trump and to hear opening arguments in the case.
The proceedings could result in the president’s removal from office – but that is seen as unlikely.
Here’s what will happen next:
Senate votes on ground rules
The Senate must vote on a resolution laying out ground rules for the trial including who the key players will be, how long they will get to present their cases and other matters. The majority leader, Mitch McConnell, has said he has the votes to open the trial without an immediate provision for witness testimony, which could be secured later during the trial. However, McConnell said he did not have the votes to dismiss the impeachment articles out of hand.
Senate trial
After the oath, the trial proper will begin – although there could be a short adjournment to allow the sides to prepare. Impeachment managers will make their case, to be followed by the defense. Senators may not speak during the proceedings but may submit written questions to the chief justice who would cause them to be read. The question of witnesses and other matters would be decided on the fly by majority vote. A time limit for the proceedings will be established in the initial Senate vote.
Evidence examination
Both the prosecution and defence may – in theory, depending on the rules agreed for the trial – bring in witnesses, who may be examined and cross-examined. The former national security adviser John Bolton and former vice-president Joe Biden have both said that they would be prepared to testify if subpoenaed. The Senate may try to alter the parameters of the evidence under examination by putting forward a motion to restrict or increase it.
Closing arguments
The prosecution and the defence will put forward their final statements, with the House managers going last, giving the House of Representatives the first and last word.
Deliberation
The senators deliberate on the case. In the past this has happened behind closed doors and out of public view. But that’s open to change, too.
Final vote
The senators vote separately on the two articles of impeachment – the first charging Trump with abuse of power, the second charging him with obstruction of Congress. A two-thirds majority of present senators – 67 ayes if everyone votes – on either article would be enough to convict Trump and remove him from office. But that would require about 20 Republican defections and is unlikely. The more likely outcome is a Trump acquittal, at which point the process is concluded, barring some highly unusual development such as the House taking action to impeach Trump again.
