Washington, Dec 18 (AFP/APP): The prosecutors, Democrats, want to call witnesses to testify. The defense — the White House — rejects the idea as “laughable.” Welcome to the trial of a US president, where the party of the accused, Donald Trump, can decide the rules and some “jurors” — senators — declare before the start whether they will find him innocent or guilty. After the House of Representatives vote on Wednesday to impeach Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, for the third time in US history, a sitting president will stand trial in the Senate. If found guilty he can be removed from office, unprecedented in US history. If the procedures are followed from the previous two times, in 1868 and 1999, sometime in early January a group of Democratic House lawmakers will enter the Senate, to read out the two articles of impeachment, or charges, against Republican Trump. “All persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment,” the Senate sergeant at arms will admonish. – No ordinary trial – After that the 100 senators — 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, will sit in judgement on one of the world’s most powerful men. To remove … Continue reading Trump goes on trial: few set rules; outcome not in doubt