Thread by @kyledcheney

NEW: If Trump’s impeachment trial is modeled after Clinton’s, here’s how it will work.

A deep dive on the framework of a trial that could give Dems an unfettered platform to assail Trump’s conduct — but also give Rs several off-ramps.

w/ @AndrewDesiderio politico.com/news/2020/01/1…

THE OATH: In 1999, senators didn’t swear to be impartial just once. After taking the oath collectively, they were called on to swear individually by the chief justice and then sign an “oath book.”

DISMISSAL: If Trump wants his case dismissed quickly, the option will have to be included in the package of rules governing the trial — which will be adopted in the first day or two of proceedings. Clinton’s trial made it in order after opening arguments.

DELAYS: Clinton’s trial recessed for six days right after rules were adopted so that each side could file trial briefs — the documents that will lay out the entire argument for each side.

It means the Trump trial itself likely won’t start until late Jan politico.com/news/2020/01/1…

OFF-RAMPS: After three weeks of arguments in 1999, senators spent 2 days holding secret debates about whether to dismiss the case or call witnesses. When they emerged, they shot down the first and agreed to the second. This is where things could reverse.

politico.com/news/2020/01/1…

BOTTOM LINE: If the Senate doesn’t dismiss the case right away (and it appears they won’t), the trial is likely to last at least three weeks — for brief filing, arguments and Senate questioning.

politico.com/news/2020/01/1…

No matter how carefully the Senate lays its trial plans, how much patience will Trump have while he listens to Adam Schiff for hours laying out the uninterrupted version of the case to remove him from office? politico.com/news/2020/01/1…