Trump impeachment trial day two

The Republican-majority US Senate has agreed on the rules for the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump.

The rules resolution proposed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was passed along party lines by a vote of 53-47 early on Wednesday.

Republicans and Democrats battled over summoning high-level White House witnesses on Tuesday in a marathon first day of arguments in Trump’s trial for abuse of power.

Day two of the impeachment trial followed its ceremonial opening last week when US Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the proceedings, swore in senators as jurors.

Here are all the latest updates as of Wednesday, January 22:

Opening arguments
The Democratic members of the House of Representatives chosen to present the impeachment case against Trump will deliver opening arguments to the Senate beginning on Wednesday.

They will have a total of 24 hours over three days to present their case that Trump should be impeached for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress over his attempt to get Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden.

Written questions
Senators will have a total of 16 hours to ask questions in writing to House prosecutors or the White House defence team.

The written questions from the senators will be read out loud in the chamber by US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial.

Witnesses and documents
House prosecutors and the White House defence team will have two hours each to argue for or against subpoenaing witnesses or documents.

The Senate will then vote on whether any witnesses or documents should be subpoenaed. A simple majority vote of 51 senators will decide the issue.

Senate vote
Following the conclusion of deliberations, the Senate will vote on each of the two articles of impeachment.

A two-thirds majority of the senators present is required for conviction. Conviction on just a single article is enough to remove Trump from office.

The Senate vote could possibly be held late next week – head of Trump’s planned February 4 appearance before a joint session of Congress for the annual State of the Union speech.