It is unlikely that the Senate will convict President Donald Trump after almost all Republican senators voted that pursuing an impeachment trial against a former president is unconstitutional.

On Tuesday, Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) forced a procedural vote to put his fellow lawmakers on the record regarding the constitutionality of the impeachment trial of former Pres. Trump.

The Senate vote 55-45, rejecting Sen. Paul and fellow Republican's argument that the impeachment trial is against the U.S. Constitution because Trump is no longer in office.

Five Republicans voted with the Democrats— Senators  Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, and Mitt Romney of Utah.

Speaking at the Senate floor, Sen. Paul said, "This impeachment is nothing more than a partisan exercise designed to further divide the country. Democrats claim to want to unify the country, but impeaching a former president, a private citizen is the antithesis of unity."

https://twitter.com/PeterSchiff/status/1354233426803630082?s=20

Separately, he told reporters, "I think there will be enough support on it to show there's no chance they can impeach the president. If 34 people support my resolution that this is an unconstitutional proceeding, it shows they don't have the votes and we're basically wasting our time."

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/1354215197783838721?s=20

Senate Democrats need 17 Republicans to convict Trump

The Senate needs a two-thirds majority vote to convict the former Pres. Trump for "high crimes and misdemeanors."  The House of Representatives, controlled by Democrats, impeached the 45th president for the second time. They specifically impeached him for allegedly inciting the U.S. Capitol insurrection that happened on January 6.

Based on the result of the Senate's vote regarding the constitutionality of the impeachment trial, Trump's conviction is "dead on arrival." Take note that Senate Democrats need to obtain 17 additional votes to convict the former president.

https://twitter.com/RandPaul/status/1354163711917903872?s=20

After the Senate vote, Sen Paul told reporters, “If you voted that it was unconstitutional, how in the world would you ever vote to convict somebody for this?” This vote indicates it’s over. The trial is all over.”

The Kentucky senator also stated that there is a possibility that some Republicans could vote differently based on the merits of the House's case against the former president.

Meanwhile, Sen. Collins commented,  “Do the math, I think that it’s extraordinarily unlikely the president will be convicted.”

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