Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell plans to submit a proposal to majority leader Chuck Schumer to delay the start of former President Trump’s impeachment trial until February, several sources familiar with the plan told CBS News.
That would give impeachment managers and Trump’s defense at least a week to prepare. McConnell presented the proposal to Republican Party senators in a political convention conference call on Thursday. McConnell, now in the minority, has no final say on when the trial will take place. Schumer would have to agree with the proposal.
It is not yet clear what date in February McConnell is proposing. He had previously said he would not start a trial immediately after the House impeached Trump. The Chamber has not yet sent the single impeachment article for inciting insurrection to the Senate.
Trump’s impeachment Chamber last week, on January 13, with 10 Republicans joining the Democrats.
At the moment, senators are scheduled to work in their states during the week of February 15 for President’s Day, which can complicate the schedule.
At the moment, the Senate is also working to confirm President Joe Biden’s nominees.
McConnell did not publicly say whether he supports or opposes impeachment, although he did say that the crowd that attacked the Capitol was “provoked by the president”.
This is a developing story and will be updated.