The Impeachment of Donald Trump: What Happens Now?

Note: This article was originally written for the January 2020 edition of the Beachside Press.

By Giavanna Bravo '21

In December, the U.S House of Representatives passed the articles to impeach President Donald Trump after being charged on multiple accounts of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The articles claim that Trump used foreign interference to be re-elected in the 2020 election. According to the inquiry, Trump influenced Ukraine to initiate an investigation of Joe Biden by withholding military aid and inviting Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the White House. Trump insisted that Ukraine interfered in the 2020 election, not Russia. He also obstructed this inquiry by telling officials in his administration to ignore subpoenas for documents and testimony. The House of Representatives approved both articles of impeachment, but what will happen now? Based on the traditional method of impeachment, the Senate will now decide the fate of the President. In the second week of January, the Senate will initiate a trial for the articles and determine whether or not Trump will be convicted and removed from office.