WASHINGTON — Lawmakers are preparing to spend all weekend in Washington for former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial after his attorney canceled a request to break for the Jewish Sabbath.
Trump impeachment attorney David Schoen, who is an observant Jew, asked that the trial be paused from from sundown Friday through Saturday in accordance with Jewish law.
But on Monday, Schoen sent a letter to Senate leaders reversing course and asking that the trial continue without him through the weekend to avoid delays.
The Senate on Tuesday voted to approve the new organizing resolution laying out the timeline for the trial after the Democrat-led House impeached Trump on the single charge that he incited the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Opening arguments start Wednesday, with House managers and Trump’s defense given 16 hours each over two days to present their case.
If both sides use all the time allowed, the trial will run until Saturday evening.
The chamber will also be in session as a court of impeachment at 2 p.m. Sunday in case lawmakers have not by then voted on the single impeachment charge.
Democratic lawmakers told CNN they expected that a final vote on conviction would come Sunday or Monday if no witnesses were called.
House impeachment managers have not requested any witnesses but are holding onto the option in case they want witness testimony to rebut arguments from Trump’s lawyers, the report said.
Trump impeachment attorney David Schoen canceled his request to break for the Jewish Sabbath. US Senate TV via CNP/MEGABoth sides are eager to wrap up the trial as quickly as possible.
President Biden has refused to publicly comment on the case, telling reporters Tuesday that he will not be watching the proceedings because he is focused on the work of passing his COVID-19 rescue package.
Trump will almost certainly be acquitted after 44 Republican senators voted that it is unconstitutional to impeach a former president.
Only six GOP lawmakers crossed the aisle and joined all 50 Democrats, who need 17 Republicans to vote with them to reach the two-thirds threshold to convict Trump.






