Donald Trump's Lawyer Reaps Criticism From Republican Senators

JAKARTA - The majority of the United States Senate (US) on Tuesday, February 9 local time, chose to hold the full impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. The Senate supports the Democrats' argument that trials are permitted under the US Constitution.

The US senators voted to continue Donald Trump's impeachment trial on charges of inciting the deadly attack on the Capitol, dismissing claims that the trial was unconstitutional after viewing a graphic video of the January attacks.

The Senate voted 56-44 to continue the trial of the former president, for the first time in history, rejecting a large part of his lawyers' party line argument that a president cannot face trial after leaving the White House.

Regardless of the results achieved, a number of Republican Senators said they were confused by the opening of the lawyer chosen by Donald Trump, who seemed not focused and wordy.

Donald Trump's attorney, Bruce Castor, delivered a strange yet touching initial defense about free speech and the partisan nature of impeachment. But constitutionality seldom does so after administration.

"President Trump's team is disorganized", said Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who voted to support the impeachment trial in accordance with the US Constitution with the Democrats, reported huffpost.

"If I were an impartial jury member, and one party is doing a good job, while the other side is doing a bad job on the problem at hand. As an impartial jury member, I will choose the side that does a good job", he added.

Even Senator Lindsey Graham, who was a staunch defender of Trump during his administration, admits that he is confused by what Donald Trump's lawyer was doing, saying he does not know where Castor's (explanation) is going.

In line with Cassidy and Graham, a number of other Republican Senators were also confused by Bruce Castor's explanation. Some of them even thought that what Castor had done was useless.

“I think the president's lawyer, the first lawyer, was just rambling on and on and not really discussing constitutional arguments. I've seen a lot of lawyers and lots of arguments and it's not one of the best I've seen", said Senator John Cornyn.

"I was confused by the first attorney, who didn't seem to be making any arguments at all, which was an unusual approach to take", said Senator Susan Collins.

"I am absolutely stunned to see the first lawyer representing former President Trump. I don't know where he was going, spent 45 minutes going somewhere. But I don't think he helps us better understand where it came from in constitutionality", said Senator Lisa Murkowski.

After the vote, Bruce Castor said he would not change anything to his strategy at the trial, despite the sharp criticism at the inaugural hearing.

"No, I outlined it a week ago and that won't change", he said.

Trump himself is reportedly confused and frustrated with the defense. The New York Times reported that Trump was shocked that Castor praised the Democrats' case in his initial speech, as reported by CNN.