WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) – The top Republican in the US Senate, Mitch McConnell, wants the impending impeachment proceedings against the voted president Donald Trump only start after his departure in the coming week. McConnell announced on Wednesday evening (local time) that in view of the shortage of time, it would not be possible to bring such proceedings to a conclusion before future President Joe Biden is sworn in next Wednesday. “It’s not a decision I’m making; it’s a fact,” McConnell said in a message he shared on Twitter. Given this reality, the country would be best served by initially concentrating on a safe and orderly handover.
After Trump’s supporters flooded the US Capitol, the House of Representatives had recently opened another impeachment procedure against the voted president. The Congress Chamber voted by a majority on Wednesday that Trump must answer in the Senate for “inciting riot”. Impeachment proceedings are initiated by the House of Representatives, but conducted and decided in the Senate.
The Democrats had made every effort to act as quickly as possible. The top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer, said on Wednesday that, with McConnell’s approval, proceedings in the chamber could begin immediately. Otherwise it’ll start in the coming week. One way or another Trump will have to answer there. His behavior must not be tolerated and not go unpunished./jac/DP/he