The Senate on Saturday voted 55-45 to hear witnesses in the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, with five Republican senators voting “yes.”
The vote comes as Senators consider whether to convict Trump for inciting the insurrection at the Capitol. It also comes following a bombshell report that Trump ignored calls from help from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy as the Capitol was being attacked by his supporters.
The House impeachment managers argued this week that Trump was responsible for the deadly riot, failed to stop the attackers and showed no remorse afterward. Trump’s lawyers countered these claims, defending his speech on Jan. 6.
While Trump’s conviction is unlikely, as it would require at least 17 Republicans to vote alongside Democrats to find him guilty, the hearing of witnesses could change minds.
Republicans who voted “yes” to hear witnesses: Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Lindsey Graham, Mitt Romney and Ben Sasse.
