If Pence agrees to operate under the framework of the 25th, then impeachment proceedings wouldnt be necessary.
This impeachment vote will commence on Wednesday.
The consensus on the topic, it turns out, is far from uniform.
But nonetheless, lets gloss over the general process of impeachment to better understand the litigious journey ahead.
In the current case against Trump, its likely that there wouldnt be a House Judiciary Committee debate.
Typically, hearings overseen by the Judiciary Committee require the summoning of witnesses to answer questions from lawmakers.
That process would be bypassed in this case, owing to the extreme circumstances spurring the impeachment proceedings.
AsNBCs Pete Williamswrites:
It would take a simple majority vote for the House to impeach.
But with Trump on his way out the door, can the Senate still preside over impeachment proceedings?
In a short answer, yes, though its more complicated than that.
I dont see any constitutional problem with the Senate acting fast or slowly.
What happens if the Senate convicts?
to get to fully punish an outgoing, convicted president, theres yetmoreformalities on the docket.
CNNs Daniel Dale explainsthat conviction in the Senate does levy some meaningful punishments on Trump.
When it comes to Trump enjoying Secret Service protection after a hypothetical Senate conviction, its also unclear.
It bears repeating that were treading in dark, uncharted waters.
