After a highly intense and unstable political period in the US, the country can seek closure with the former US President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial approaching.

Trump, who is accused of “incitement of insurrection” on the basis of the violent riots in the US Capitol on January 6, has been previously impeached by the US Congress during his Presidential term. 

The impeachment trial, which is all set to begin on February 9, will not only be a procedural conviction but will also help reshape American politics by increasing accountability from the countries executives and set a precedent necessary for peaceful and safe use of powers. 

Also Read: Prosecutors allege ‘grievous constitutional crime’ on the eve of Donald Trump impeachment trial

To convict the former US President, the US Senate needs a special majority of two-thirds of the total votes, which means 17 republicans would have to vote against Trump in addition to all the present democrats. In a case of a successful impeachment, any ambitions held by Trump for re-election in the following term will be squashed. 

However, ever since the transfer of power to US President Joe Biden, most members of the GOP, who call the trial “unnecessary” and “unconstitutional”, have decided to tread lightly while walking on eggshells due to the former President’s stronghold in the party and his popularity among the conservatives.

In January, the members of the Republican party pushed for a formal vote in the chamber for the dismissal of the trial which resulted in 45 out of the 50 Republicans voting in favour of the motion. This would mean that out of the required 17 votes from Republicans for impeachment, the Democratic party has managed to lobby only five. 

The US authorities have decided that the impeachment trial shall be public knowledge and thus will be aired on public platforms. Pro-Trump members of the GOP fear that the broadcast of the trial can damage the reputation of both, the party and Trump. 

Richard Blumenthal, United States Senator from Connecticut said, “One of the most powerful reasons for a trial here is the public airing of Donald Trump’s really heinous criminal wrongdoing and his criminal intent. A trial airs a tableau of evidence and proof that can change the way people think about the individual who is on trial. Even when someone is acquitted, they may still be haunted by the facts that come to light at a trial”, reported Politico.

Also Read: How Donald Trump’s impeachment trial is different from a court trial?

A Democratic senator from Massachusetts, Elizabeth Warren added to the argument and said, “I think this trial will tell us about what the GOP wants to be going forward. Donald Trump did not just drop out of the sky. Everything that he represents has its roots in earlier iterations of the Republican Party.”

Most members of the Republican party have been playing out the politics of the trial on the back foot while maintaining a diplomatic stance. The primary argument given by any Republican, who oppose the impeachment, is based on procedural and legal gray areas while avoiding any discussion on the involvement of the former US President in the violent breach in the US Capitol building which claimed the lives of five people.