McConnell plans speedy Trump impeachment trial

January 21, 2020

THE TRIAL FILES — On the eve of President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial, Mitch McConnell confirmed much of what we suspected about how the proceedings will play out: the first phase will be lightning-fast, and the really dramatic moments won’t come until next week at the earliest. That’s because the opening arguments — clocking in at 24 hours, but no more than two trial days, per side — and then a 16-hour period for senators’ questioning will give way to a historic and history-making four hours of debate and eventual vote on whether to consider procuring witnesses or other new information. In theory, Trump’s likely acquittal could come as early as next week if Democrats can’t persuade at least four GOP senators to vote in favor of allowing witnesses.