Impeachment trial of President Trump

By Meg Wagner, Mike Hayes, Veronica Rocha and Fernando Alfonso III, CNN

Updated 10:56 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

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1:39 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

Schiff reminds senators of their duty to act impartially

House impeachment manager Adam Schiff said in his opening statement he believes "an impartial juror" will vote to remove President Trump from office after hearing the case against him.

Schiff reminded the Senate of their duty to act impartially:

“It is up to you to be the tribunal Hamilton envisioned. It is up to you to show the American people and yourselves his confidence and those of the other founders was rightly placed. The Constitution entrusts you to the responsibility of acting as impartial jurors, have a fair trial and weigh the evidence before you no matter what your party affiliation or vote in the previous election or the next, our duty is to the Constitution and the rule of law."

He added that it is up to the senators to "decide what kind of democracy that you believe we ought to be. And what the American people have a right to expect in the conduct of their president."

1:28 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

Schiff pans trial witness trade idea: "This isn't a fantasy football trade"

From CNN's Manu Raju and Haley Byrd

Rep. Adam Schiff panned the idea of agreeing to bring forward witnesses Democrats want to hear from, like John Bolton, in exchange for also bringing forward witnesses Republicans want to hear testify, like Hunter Biden.

“This isn't a fantasy football trade,” Schiff said today. “This isn't, 'We will offer you this, if you give us that' or offer a witness irrelevant and immaterial with no relevant testimony but a witness that allows us to smear a presidential candidate if you give us a witness. That's not a trade. Trials aren't trades for witnesses.”

Schiff cut off CNN's Manu Raju’s attempt to ask for a response to Republican criticism of House manager Jerry Nadler for accusing the GOP senators of engaging in a cover up, by answering different questions instead.

Asked about Chief Justice John Roberts' rebuke of both the managers and the defense team late last night, Schiff said it is normal that “tempers flare” in the wee hours of the night.

Schiff is giving the House managers' opening statement on the Senate floor right now.

CNN's Ali Main contributed to this report.

1:21 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

Today's impeachment trial started with a prayer to "remember that patriots reside on both sides of the aisle"

The Senate chaplain began the impeachment trial with a prayer, urging lawmakers to "remember that patriots reside on both sides of the aisle."

"Give them a civility built upon integrity that brings consistency in their beliefs and actions," he said.

The prayer came a day after Chief Justice John Roberts scolded both sides for tense exchanges on the Senate floor.

Here's his full prayer:

"Sovereign God, author of liberty, we gather in this historic chamber for the solemn responsibility of these impeachment proceedings. Give wisdom to the distinguished Chief Justice John Roberts, as he presides. Lord, you are all powerful and know our thoughts before we form them. As our lawmakers have become jurors, remind them of your admonition in first Corinthians 10:31 — that whatever they do should be done for your glory. Help them remember that patriots reside on both sides of the aisle, that words have consequences and that how something is said can be as important as what is said. Give them a civility built upon integrity that brings consistency in their beliefs and actions. We pray in your powerful name, amen."

1:13 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

Trump defense team won't say if they'll use all 24 hours to make their case

From CNN's Lauren Fox

The President’s defense team said they won’t advertise how many hours they will use to make their case.

“Look, they are going to put on their case. Then, we put on our case,” Sekulow said when pushed on if they would use all of their 24 hours to defend the President.

Sekulow also talked about why they did not offer a motion to dismiss. He said that they decided not to because “we are prepared to proceed to acquittal.”

I also pushed Sekulow on whether the President’s team is talking to individual senators. Ueland interrupted and said that they are having a lot of conversations with individual senators.

Remember: Starting today, each side — the Trump team and the House managers — get 24 hours over three days to present their case, according to a resolution passed by the Senate. The House managers get to go first.

1:12 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

What to expect over the next two hours

The Democratic House managers will make their opening statements for the next two hours, according to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Senate will then take a recess "when there is an appropriate break time between presenters," he said.

One thing to note: The House managers have 24 hours over the three days to present their case.

1:08 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

The impeachment trial is back in session

The Senate impeachment trial just kicked off for the day.

The Democratic House impeachment managers are expected to begin their opening statements today.

They'll have 24 hours over the course of three days to present their case.

12:56 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

Schiff: "The Senate should allow us a fair trial to the American people"

Democratic House manager Rep. Adam Schiff, speaking to reporters today, said he believes the House put forth a powerful case yesterday.

"Yesterday, we feel that we laid out a very powerful case for why this trial should be no different than any other trial in America," he said.

Schiff, a Democrat from California, also called on the Senate to allow House managers to put on a fair trial.

"The House should have the opportunity to prove its case. If we prove our case, the Senate should convict and remove the president from office. But the Senate should allow us a fair trial. The Senate should allow us a fair trial to the American people, one that allows the House to call relevant witnesses," he said.

"It should involve the calling of witness, it should involve the production of documents," he added.

12:53 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

Here's how the trial will begin today

House manager Rep. Adam Schiff said the team will begin today by laying out the "factual chronology" of President Trump's actions.

"We will go into extensive detail about what happened and when and how we know that it happened. We do not assume everyone in the Senate was able to watch all of the house testimony. Some of you in the press were not able to do that. We can't assume the senators were even as we were, let alone the American people were able to do so. We will lay out the facts and chronology and new facts continue to come to light.

He said they believe we will make "an overwhelming case" to convict President Trump.

12:48 p.m. ET, January 22, 2020

NOW: Democratic House managers are speaking

The seven House Democrats serving as impeachment managers are talking to reporters. These Democrats are serving as the prosecutors in the Senate impeachment trial.

The trial is scheduled to resume at 1 p.m. ET.