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Former President Donald Trump faces a second impeachment trial in the Senate this week, after the House last month voted to approve a charge of inciting an insurrection in the wake of the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol.
Trump has become the first president to get impeached twice, and it’s also a first that the trial is taking place after he has left the White House.
A conviction looks highly unlikely, as it would require support from two-thirds of the Senate, meaning 17 of the Senate’s 50 Republicans and all of the chamber’s 50 Democrats and independents. All but five GOP senators voted two weeks ago to declare the trial unconstitutional, indicating prosecutors face long odds.
But the proceedings still rank as must-see-TV for presidential historians and politics junkies, even as markets SPX, +0.74% DJIA, +0.76% aren’t expected to get shaken. Below are key things to know while tuning in.
What time does Trump’s impeachment trial start?
It’s expected to start at 1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday.
Where can I watch the trial?
C-SPAN is expected to show the proceedings on its channels and online platforms, as are major cable news and broadcast networks.
Related: 5 key questions for Trump’s Senate impeachment trial
How long will the trial last?
It looks set to last into next week, but not last as long as Trump’s first impeachment trial, which took more than two weeks.
Tuesday’s proceedings are slated to consist of up to four hours of debate on the constitutionality of the trial and then a vote on that issue. If a simply majority of the 100-seat chamber votes in favor of the constitutionality of the trial, it will proceed, said a Monday statement from the office of Senate Majority Chuck Schumer.
Beginning at noon Eastern Wednesday, each side will get to make their case on the charge of inciting an insurrection. Those arguments will come in “16 hours over two days for the House managers, the same for the former president’s counsel,” said Schumer, the New York Democrat, in a floor speech on Monday.
Following the presentations from both sides, senators will get a total of four hours to ask questions.
The House’s impeachment managers, who are serving as prosecutors, will have the option of requesting a debate and vote on subpoenaing witnesses and documents. There would be four hours equally divided for arguments on that issue, according to Schumer’s office.
Related: Lindsey Graham says ‘we’ll want the FBI to come in’ if Democrats call a single witness
Closing arguments would last up to four hours.
There is expected to be no trial action from sunset Friday through Saturday in observance of the Jewish Sabbath, following a request from one of Trump’s defense attorneys.
“The trial will break on Friday afternoon before sundown and will not resume until Sunday afternoon,” Schumer said.
