The second impeachment trial of President Donald Trump could begin as soon as an hour after president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration next week, according to a timeline of Senate procedure published by the Associated Press.
How will Alaska’s two Republican Senators handle the process as jurors in the trial? Each has made a statement, sharing the sentiment that now is not the time to make declarations, but rather, that there is a lot to worry about before beginning the process of hearing evidence in Trump’s trial.
The state’s senior Senator, Lisa Murkowski, made waves last week by calling for President Trump to resign in the aftermath of the deadly pro-Trump demonstration within the U.S. Capitol. When the House voted to impeach Trump for an unprecedented second time during his term, Murkowski said: “Such unlawful actions cannot go without consequence, and the House has responded swiftly, and I believe, appropriately, with impeachment.” Despite condoning the House’s impeachment vote, she has not publicly committed to how she intends to vote.
Murkowski said in her statement: “When the Article of Impeachment comes to the Senate, I will follow the oath I made when sworn in as a U.S. Senator. I will listen carefully and consider the arguments of both sides, and will then announce how I will vote.”
Senator Dan Sullivan issued a Wednesday statement on Twitter, saying: “The charges being brought against President Trump are serious and will be given serious consideration, including examining the historical and legal precedents and the long-term impacts a conviction under these circumstances could have on our Republic.”
Both Murkowski and Sullivan expressed the sentiment that the primary goal this week is to focus on facilitating an orderly transfer-of-power and safe inauguration of President-Elect Joe Biden.