*Report says though Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delays action on activating Donald Trump’s second impeachment by the House of Representatives, the President’s final week could help determine the ultimate outcome

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

United States President Donald Trump’s unprecedented second impeachment in the history of the country heads to the Senate, where his fate rests with Republican leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, who now has more leverage than ever over the President in his final week in the White House.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi-led House of Representatives had debated, voted and ratified Trump’s second impeachment Wednesday, January 13, 2020.

After the required process in the House, Pelosi later signed the signed article of impeachment against Trump at the US Capitol same day, Bloomberg report said.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi signs and presents article of impeachment against Trump at the US Capitol

McConnell told Republican colleagues in a letter Wednesday that he would block starting an impeachment trial before President-elect Joe Biden takes office January 20 and control of the Senate shifts to Democrats.

The Senate Leader, however, said he had not yet made up his mind on whether to vote to convict Trump of inciting an insurrection that left five dead and damaged the Capitol, including the Senate Chamber where he has spent much of the past 36 years.

According to report, that allows Trump to finish his term without being removed from office.

But then, McConnell has left open the option that if Trump were to instigate more unrest or take any other dangerous action, he could turn against him.

That would raise the odds there would be enough Republican votes for Trump’s conviction and a possible ban on ever again serving in office in the US.

Report stated the next steps after Wednesday’s House impeachment vote depend on how McConnell, Pelosi, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer navigate the politics of a trial, a change of administration, and a shift in power in the Senate all happening simultaneously.

Also left to be negotiated are the details of the trial, such as length and scope of the process, whether to subpoena documents and witnesses during the trial.

Moreover, much is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Senate is not back until January 19, report said.

So, no trial can start before January 20 ─ the same day Biden is sworn in ─ under McConnell’s timeline.

Pelosi has not said publicly when she will send the article of impeachment to the Senate. Once she does, an intricate and prescribed process for the trial then plays out, according to report.

Meanwhile, Biden in a statement Wednesday explored with the leaders whether there might be a bipartisan pact to split the Senate days between regular business, such as confirmation votes and Trump’s trial.

He said: “This nation also remains in the grip of a deadly virus and a reeling economy.

“I hope that the Senate leadership will find a way to deal with their constitutional responsibilities on impeachment while also working on the other urgent business of this nation.”