On the Day of Signing the US-China Trade Agreement... Pelosi Throws Cold Water

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and the biggest political opponent of President Donald Trump, has finally decided to send the impeachment articles against President Trump to the Senate. This decision came a month after the House vote, and it is being seen as a 'perfectly timed move' that could undermine Trump’s achievement of signing the U.S.-China trade agreement.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to the Washington Post (WP) and others on the 14th (local time), Speaker Pelosi announced in a statement that "a vote to transmit the articles of impeachment and to appoint impeachment managers will be held on the 15th." This means the articles of impeachment will be sent to the Senate within this week.

Speaker Pelosi had delayed sending the articles to the Senate for about a month after the House passed the impeachment on the 18th of last month. President Trump and the Republicans, who control the Senate, have argued that since it would be difficult for the impeachment to pass there, the articles should be sent to the Senate quickly. The House is also expected to send additional impeachment evidence along with the articles.

Pelosi’s decision is closely related to the fact that the U.S.-China Phase One trade agreement signing is scheduled for that day. For President Trump, it is the day when the trade dispute with China bears its first fruit, and by sending the impeachment articles to the Senate, Pelosi can divert attention away from Trump.

Since last year, Speaker Pelosi has repeatedly obstructed President Trump’s efforts. From the beginning of last year, she used the government shutdown, the State of the Union address, and the Michael Cohen hearings to block Trump’s moves, establishing herself as the only figure in U.S. politics capable of standing up to President Trump.

Speaker Pelosi stated, "The American people deserve to know the truth. The Constitution demands a trial." She especially emphasized, "The Senate must choose between the Constitution and cover-up," putting pressure on the Republican-majority Senate.

President Trump, who has been criticizing Speaker Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer daily, remained rather calm. Through a single tweet, Trump said, "The last House hearing was the most biased and unfair in congressional history," before departing for Milwaukee, where he had a campaign rally scheduled.

With the articles of impeachment moving from the House, the Senate impeachment trial is expected to begin next week. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has projected the trial schedule to start on the 21st.

Once the articles are sent to the Senate, all senators will serve as the 'jury' in the trial. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court will act as the 'judge,' and senators will express their opinions on the guilt or innocence of each article of impeachment. House impeachment managers will serve as the 'prosecutors.' The role of President Trump’s 'defense attorneys' is expected to be taken by White House legal counsel and others.

The Republican majority in the Senate plans to quickly conclude the trial and deliver a verdict of not guilty. Unlike the House, which requires a simple majority, the Senate requires a two-thirds majority to convict. Therefore, it is highly likely that President Trump will be acquitted.

However, the Senate is not fully backing President Trump. According to the WP, the number of senators supporting a resolution that requires congressional approval before Trump can carry out military operations against Iran is increasing. So far, at least 51 senators from both the Democratic and Republican parties have expressed support for the resolution.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.