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Trump predicts Senate trial "should go very quickly"

Trump trial adjourned until 1 pm (1800 GMT) Tuesday, says Senate chief

US Supreme Court chief justice sworn in to preside over Trump trial

President Trump
Washington, President Donald Trump predicted Thursday that his impeachment trial in the US Senate will not take long and again dismissed the abuse of power charges against him as "a hoax."

"I think it should go very quickly," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office as the upper chamber''s members were sworn in to serve as the jury in Trump''s historic trial over the Ukraine scandal.

"It''s totally partisan," Trump said. "It''s a hoax. It''s a hoax and everybody knows it''s a complete hoax."

Members of the US Senate were sworn in on Thursday to serve as jurors at the historic impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the trial, administered the oath to the senators who will decide whether the 45th president should be removed from office.

The Chief Justice was first of all sworn in to preside over Trump impeachment trial. Roberts arrived at the Capitol on Thursday and was sworn in to preside over the weeks-long impeachment trial of  embattled US President.

BREAKING: US Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts takes oath to preside over the US Senate during the impeachment trial against President Trump. pic.twitter.com/LI676olHVC— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) January 16, 2020

Roberts, under the Constitution, is required to preside over a president's impeachment trial. Though senators say they expect his role to be largely ceremonial, he'll also have to weigh in on motions made by House managers, Trump's legal team and senators — though a majority of the body could overrule him.

Roberts is expected to also swear in each of the 100 senators.
 
Senate Majority Leader McConnell
“Do you solemnly swear that in all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald John Trump, President of the United States, now pending, you will do impartial justice according to the Constitution and the laws, so help you God,” Roberts said.

Senators in the chamber responded: “I do.” They then individually signed a book affirming their oath.

Senator Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate majority leader, then adjourned the proceedings and said the trial would resume at 1:00 pm (1800 GMT) on Tuesday.

Chief Justice John Roberts
Earlier on Thursday, Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who will serve as lead prosecutor for the trial, read out the two articles of impeachment accusing Trump of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”

The Democratic-controlled House, in an overwhelmingly partisan vote, impeached Trump on December 18 for abuse of power in his dealings with Ukraine and for obstruction of Congress.

Impeachment rules require a two-thirds Senate majority to convict and remove a president and Trump’s acquittal is widely expected in the Republican-dominated Senate.


(With AFP and the Hill)
 

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