House votes to impeach President Donald Trump, Senate to hold trial

WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the third time in U.S. history, the President of the United States has been impeached by the House of Representatives. On Wednesday evening, after hours of arguments from both Democrat and Republican congressmen, the House voted to impeach President Donald Trump.

>>> Live updates from the House of Representatives

The House voted to impeach the president for both articles of impeachment: Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress.

Page 1 of House Resolution 755

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Both Bill Clinton (1998) and Andrew Johnson (1868) were the two other presidents to be impeached by House; neither were removed from office following the Senate’s trial. A two-thirds Senate majority is required to convict and remove a president from office.

Given that Republicans control the 100-seat chamber, with a 53 to 47 majority, President Trump is widely expected to be acquitted.

That trial in the upper chamber likely will not happen until after the holidays, in early January. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will preside over the trial in the Senate, with senators acting as both judge and jury.

Rep. Joe Kennedy joins live to talk about his vote in favor of impeachment Rep. Joe Kennedy joins us live from Washington to talk about his decision to vote in favor of impeaching President Trump.

Congressman Stephen Lynch joins live to discuss his vote on President Trump's impeachment Congressman Stephen Lynch joined Boston 25 Morning News to discuss the historic impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Chief Justice John Roberts will be there to make sure the trial stays on track with predetermined rule and if a vote ends in a tie, Roberts will have the final say.

“He has a history of being a very impartial, fair, almost umpire-like justice, who calls them as he sees them. I don’t think he’ll treat this, this trial any differently,” said Robert Schaffer.

Senators can ask questions of witnesses during the Senate trial, but only by submitting them in writing to Justice Roberts. But there may not be any witnesses at all, if Republicans decide they’d rather keep the trial short.

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell will have the final say over the format and guidelines of the trial. Earlier Tuesday on the Senate floor, McConnell said the Senate’s duty is to act as the judge and jury and not rerun the entire fact-finding investigation.

A rally was held on Boston Common Tuesday night on the eve of the House vote. To see the full story on that rally, click here.