WASHINGTON, D.C. — There's a growing likelihood the Senate trial for President Trump's impeachment will happen simultaneously at the start of Joe Biden's presidency, even though several California Democrats, including Rep. Adam Schiff, have pushed for it to start immediately.
"This man remains a danger to the country," said Schiff, D-Burbank, who led the first impeachment against Trump.
Schiff said impeachment managers are gathering evidence and working hard to prepare for the trial. Last time, Schiff led the charge as the leading impeachment manager. In his closing words of the Senate trial, Schiff said, "He has done it before, he will do it again."
Schiff said Trump tried to influence the election by illegally withholding aid to a foreign country in return for information on a political opponent.
"If you have found him guilty, and you do not remove him from office, he will continue trying to cheat in the election," Schiff said in the Senate trial's closing statements.
Schiff said he took no pleasure in predicting the 2020 Election, where the president tried to overturn election results by spreading misinformation and calling upon election officials to "find" electoral college votes. Schiff said this second impeachment was unavoidable after the Capitol breach.
"With this impeachment," Schiff said. "We moved within seven days because this was an abuse of presidential power that was plain for the whole world to see. It took place before our very eyes."
But most Republicans disagreed. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, said on the House floor during the impeachment debate one week after the Capitol breach that another impeachment will further tear the country apart.
"A vote to impeach would further divide the nation. A vote to impeach will further fan the flames of partisan division," McCarthy said.
The process moves forward with two of the nine appointed impeachment managers from California: Representatives Ted Lieu and Eric Swalwell.
"I have been having discussions with them to give them my take in what I learned in the last trial," Schiff said. "And what they can expect some of the core arguments as well as what it's like trying the case before the Senate. It's an unusual circumstance. So I've told them that I hope they will consider me a resource. I want to help in any way I can. I think it's a superb team, with both these great Californians but also led by Jamie Raskin, which I have tremendous respect for."
Schiff said more Republicans seem open to the impeachment this time, and more have criticized Trump publicly for his role in the Capitol riots.
"I certainly hope and pray that the Senate will rise to meet this moment," Schiff said. "It will send a clear and unequivocal moment not only to this president but to any who follow that this kind of conduct inciting a mob to attack the Capitol or interfering in any way with a peaceful transfer in power will not be tolerated."
Schiff said if the Senate trial has to happen under the Biden presidency, he wants them also to pass big agenda items, like COVID-19 relief and Biden's cabinet members' confirmations.
The majority of House Republicans voted against impeachment. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has not committed to a vote and has said he would listen to arguments before deciding.