Thread by @JuddLegum

1. Today, Trump's second impeachment trial starts.

Trump's lawyers and Republican Senators will focus on the argument that the proceeding is unconstitutional because Trump is no longer president.

This short thread will explain why that is B.S.

Follow along if interested.

2. The question of whether Trump could be impeached after he left office is irrelevant

Trump was impeached before he left office

The question is whether the Senate still have the authority to try the impeachment after Trump leave office

The Constitution answers this question

3. Article I, Section 3, Clause 6: "The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments."

ALL IMPEACHMENTS.

ALL.

IMPEACHMENTS.

A

L

L

I

M

P

E

A

C

H

M

E

N

T

S

There is no ambiguity.

4. There are other fancy historical arguments you can use to prove the Senate can try Trump's impeachment but they are unnecessary

The text of the Constitution settles it.

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5. UPDATE: Raskin started the case against Trump with this argument but now they are launching into a bunch of other arguments making the same point, which I don't think is necessary