Donald Trump's Lawyers Say The Senate Has No Authority To Hold An Impeachment Hearing

JAKARTA - The legal team of former President of the United States (US) Donald Trump said the US Senate was not authorized to carry out an impeachment trial against Donald Trump. The reason is that Trump is now an ordinary citizen.

This was conveyed by a team of lawyers Donald Trump on Tuesday, February 2 local time. Trump's team of lawyers along with 9 representatives of the US House of Representatives from the Democratic Party will meet with the US Senate a week before the trial begins on February 9.

Trump's team of lawyers also argue that the US Senate not only does not have the power to try Trump, it also lacks the jurisdiction to prevent him from taking office again.

"The 45th president of the United States has performed admirably in his role as president. Every time he does what he thinks is in the best interest of the American people," Trump's defense team said.

Meanwhile, the US Constitution states that punishment can result in a person being dismissed from office and disqualification from holding and enjoying any position of honor, trust, or advantage under the United States.

Trump's team of lawyers also denied that he had instigated violence, telling Trump's remarks to his supporters just before the riots on Capitol Hill, which Democrats said were sedition, protected under the First Amendment of the US Constitution. This is related to the right to free speech.

To note, Donald Trump's lawyers team is currently led by David Schoen and Bruce L. Castor. Both replace Butch Bowers and Deborah Barbier who resigned at the end of January.