Chuck Schumer promises ‘new’ evidence against Trump as Democrats stand firm ahead of impeachment trial

'When you have such a serious charge, sweeping it under the rug will not bring unity'

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer held a press conference on Tuesday just before the start of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial, vowing to pass Covid-19 relief while holding the former president accountable for fomenting a deadly insurrection at the US Capitol. 

“To the pundits who said we can’t do both at once we say, You are wrong! We can and we are!" he said, inviting 10 additional Democratic lawmakers to speak about the actions they’re taking to address the economic and public health crises while simultaneously conducting the impeachment trial. 

"I believe the managers will present a very strong case," the Senate leader said, calling the evidence against Mr Trump "powerful" and noting "some of it will be new."

He added: “When you have such a serious charge, sweeping it under the rug will not bring unity.”

Mr Schumer and his Democratic colleagues spoke just before the start of the historic impeachment trial, the first time in American history in which a former president was facing impeachment after leaving office, as well as the first time any president has been impeached more than once by Congress. 

The House voted to impeach Mr Trump for his involvement in and conduct throughout the Capitol riots, which left at least five people dead, including United States Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick. Democrats would require 17 Republican votes in the Senate to successfully convict Mr Trump, a move that would pave the way for lawmakers to bar him from ever holding elected office again. 

But it seems unlikely that will happen, with 45 Republican senators having already voted against conducting the trial. The former president’s lawyers were expected to argue against the constitutionality of the trial, despite legal experts saying he can still be convicted for his actions during the deadly violence. 

In a tweet posted shortly after the press conference, Mr Schumer wrote: “The United States Capitol was invaded and desecrated. The Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump is about truth and accountability following this despicable attack.”