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Trump impeachment trial live updates: Biden says charge 'not in dispute' in 1st comments on acquittal

Biden remembered those who were killed and called for unity going forward.

Last Updated: February 15, 2021, 4:10 PM EST

Former President Donald Trump's historic second impeachment trial ended with a 57-43 vote to acquit in the Senate. He faced a single charge of incitement of insurrection over his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Feb 13, 2021, 10:24 AM EST

Trump defense slams Dems' call for witnesses

In a rebuttal to the House managers requesting to subpoena GOP Rep. Jamie Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., as a witness to the impeachment trial, Trump's defense team scoffed at the idea and threatened to call 100 witnesses in response, and said the trial should wrap "today."

"They didn't put the work in that was necessary to impeach the former president," Trump's defense lawyer, Michael van der Veen argued. "But if they want to have witnesses, I'm going to need at least over 100 depositions, not just one."

"We should close this case out today," van der Veen later continued.

Feb 13, 2021, 10:15 AM EST

Democrats call for subpoenaing GOP Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler

Lead House impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., has called to subpoena Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Wash., who tweeted out a statement Friday reiterating comments she made about a talk she had with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy regarding Trump's involvement in the Capitol siege.

In the statement, Herrera Beutler reiterated her claims which she made earlier to Washington newspaper The Daily News that McCarthy spoke to Trump as violent protesters stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, but the then-sitting president refused to stop them.

"For that reason, and because this is the proper time to do so under the resolution that the Senate adopted to set the rules for the trial, we would like the opportunity to subpoena Congresswoman Herrera regarding her communications with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, and to subpoena her contemporaneous notes that she made, regarding what President Trump told Kevin McCarthy in the middle of the insurrection," Raskin said.

Herrera Beutler ended her statement Friday by challenging those with firsthand knowledge of Trump's actions during the Capitol siege -- including former Vice President Mike Pence -- to come forward. 

"To the patriots who were standing next to the former president as these conversations were happening, or even to the former vice president: if you have something to add here, now would be the time," she wrote.

Raskin said they are prepared to proceed via Zoom and then to proceed to the next phase of the trial, "including the introduction of that testimony shortly thereafter."

Feb 13, 2021, 10:08 AM EST

Senate reconvenes for Trump's second trial

The Senate has reconvened for Trump's second impeachment trial which could wrap up as early as Saturday.

Senate Chaplain Barry Black first led the chamber in a prayer and invoked Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman by name in his prayer, speaking to bravery.

"Fill our senators with a spirit that combines common sense with commitment, conscience and courage," he said.

Presiding officer Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., then led the group through the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the traditional "Hear ye! Hear ye! Hear ye!" proclamation from the sergeant-at-arms.

PHOTO: Sen. Patrick Leahy wields the gavel to convene the U.S. Senate as he presides over the start of the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump on the floor of the Senate chamber in Washington, Feb. 9, 2021.
Sen. Patrick Leahy wields the gavel to convene the U.S. Senate as he presides over the start of the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, on charges of inciting the deadly attack, on the floor of the Senate chamber in Washington, Feb. 9, 2021.
U.S. Senate TV via Reuters

There will be an opportunity on Saturday to motion for witnesses, prompting two hours of debate -- potentially, kicking off a behind-closed-doors deposition process and extending the trial's timeline.

Democratic Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I. and Jeff Merkely, D-Ore., have expressed a willingness to entertain the idea, as has Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, despite leadership from both parties previously signaling wanting a speedy trial. The debate comes as new details emerge of a phone call between Trump and House Minority Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

But with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell telling colleagues he will vote to acquit, it's all but certain Trump will not face conviction.

President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021.
Jim Bourg/Reuters

-ABC News' Trish Turner

Feb 13, 2021, 9:59 AM EST

McConnell tells colleagues he'll vote to acquit

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has told colleagues in an email he will vote to acquit Trump for "incitement of insurrection."

McConnell said, "While it was a close call" he believes impeachment is "primarily a tool of removal" and that the Senate now lacks jurisdiction with Trump out of office.

"The Constitution makes perfectly clear that Presidential misconduct while in office can be prosecuted after the President has left office, which in my view alleviates the otherwise troubling 'January exception' argument raised by the House," McConnell said in an email.

Senate Minority Leader Senator Mitch McConnell walks to the Senate floor during the fourth day of former President Donald Trump's impeachment trial before the Senate on Capitol Hill Feb. 12, 2021.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

McConnell, on the Senate floor last month, criticized Trump for his behavior surrounding the attack on the Capitol.

"The mob was fed lies. They were provoked by the President and other powerful people, and they tried to use fear and violence to stop a specific proceeding of the first branch of the Federal Government which they did not like," McConnell said at the time.

-ABC News' Trish Turner

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