The House of Representatives of the United States began on Wednesday in a historic session lawmakers impeached President Donald Trump over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress
President Trump became the third US president to be subjected to A political trial.
The case will be taken to the upper house who will make further discussions
In the Senate, which will probably open the process in January, Trump is expected to be acquitted, as at least 67 votes are needed to dismiss him and Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats.
Although Trump is expected to be acquitted in the Senate, here we tell you what would happen if Trump is removed from the Presidency of the United States.
What would the
process of political trial be like to dismiss Trump?
The first step is for the House of Representatives to vote in favor of the political trial against President Trump, which is likely since the Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi, are a majority in the Lower House.
The Lower has already voted in favour of the trial, now the next stage proceeds to the senate
Once voted in favor, the trial will take place in the Senate. This process is expected to begin in January, as from December 20 they go on vacation for the Christmas holidays.
Who participates in the trial?
According to the BBC, the president of the Supreme Court of Justice is the one who presides over the trial. The members of the House of Representatives act as prosecutors and the members of the Senate are the jury.
President Trump can appoint defense lawyers. On the other hand, there is no obligation for the president to appear during the political trial.
Throughout the process, senators listen to the arguments, as does an ordinary jury. If in doubt, they can send their questions in writing to be asked by the president of the Senate.
After the trial, the Senate must vote. If the upper house approves a charge with two thirds of the vote as “guilty”, the president is dismissed. If all charges are rejected, the president is acquitted.
Although the process has the forms of a criminal trial, the decision is merely political.
It is the fourth time in history that Congress has acted to dismiss a president. If convicted by the Senate, Trump would be the first to be dismissed, something unlikely in a Senate controlled by the Republican Party.
Who will be president if Trump is dismissed?
The BBC explains that in case Trump is dismissed after the political trial against him, it will be Vice President Mike Pence who will hold the position for the rest of the presidential term. This is established by the Presidential Succession Act of 1947.
