Trump Impeachment Trial: How To Watch Senate Acceptance Of Articles Of Impeachment

Update 2:12 p.m. EST

Ahead of the swearing in of U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell called a roll call to ensure a quorum was present.

Roberts was escorted into the chamber by four senators. He will be presiding over the trial, which is scheduled to begin in earnest on Tuesday at 1 p.m. EST.

"I am prepared to take the oath," Roberts said.

After affirming the oath, Roberts swore in the senators, asking them to perform "impartial justice." They then were called up in groups of four to sign the oath book.

Update 12:30 p.m. EST

Rep. Adam Schiff read the articles of impeachment to the Senate.

“President Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States,” he concluded.

The chamber then adjourned until 2 p.m., when U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts will be sworn in after Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Grassley announced the four senators who will escort Roberts into the chamber.

Original story

The seven lawmakers appointed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi formally present the articles of impeachment against President Trump to the Senate in a day of ritual ahead of his trial.

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who as head of the Intelligence Committee led the impeachment investigation, was to read the charges to the senators, opening the way for the trial to open in earnest on Tuesday. U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, who will preside over the trial, was to be sworn in after the articles are read.

You can watch the proceedings here.

Trump is accused of attempting to pressure Ukraine into investigating former Vice President Joe Biden, who polls indicate is the leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination. The administration withheld $391 million in military aid to the former Soviet Republic, which is fighting Russia-backed separatists in its eastern provinces.

The House approved two articles of impeachment against Trump on Dec. 18, accusing him of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Pelosi had delayed sending the articles to the Senate, hoping for a commitment the upper chamber would agree to call witnesses and subpoena documents.

Since the approval, evidence has surfaced bolstering the House case, including documents former U.S. Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, who was the object of a smear campaign orchestrated by Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, was under surveillance. Ukraine on Thursday announced an investigation into the situation.

Pelosi appointed the impeachment case managers Wednesday. In addition to Schiff, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., and five others are on the team that will prosecute the case. Nadler is expected to handle the constitutional basis for the impeachment.

Trump has called for the dismissal of the charges without a trial, but senators indicated they are against such action. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said the case was to be laid out before lawmakers vote on whether to call any witnesses. Democrats have said failure to call witnesses would amount to a coverup.