Former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial will be halted if it occurs on Saturday in order to comply with a request from one of his lawyers, who is a practicing Jew.
Trump’s impeachment lawyer David Schoen has called for the trial – which starts on Tuesday – to be put on temporary sunset standby from Friday to Saturday.
“I apologize for the inconvenience of my request that the impeachment process not be conducted during the Jewish Sabbath will undoubtedly cause other people to be involved in the process,” Schoen wrote in a letter to Senate leaders last week.
“Practices and prohibitions are mandatory for me, however; so, respectfully, I have no choice but to make this request. “
Majority leader Chuck Schumer said on Sunday that the Senate would comply with Schoen’s request.
“We respect their request and it is clear that we will attend to it. Talks with relevant parties about the structure of the trial continue, ”said Schumer spokesman Angelo Roefaro.