Democrat hopes of convicting Trump fade as only five Republican Senators back holding a Senate trial

Rand Paul called impeachment trial deranged

Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Led by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul, Republicans argued that an impeachment trial would be unconstitutional because Mr Trump is now a private citizen.

Calling the trial “deranged and vindictive”, Mr Paul added: “Private citizens don’t get impeached. Impeachment is for removal from office, and the accused here has already left office.”

His assertion has been disputed by some constitutional scholars.

Hailing the result, Mr Paul added: “Forty-five votes means the impeachment trial is dead on arrival.”

Republican Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania voted with the Democrats.

All have been critical of Mr Trump in the past and Mr Romney, a former Republican presidential candidate, voted in favour of removing him from office in the first impeachment trial.

Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, who reportedly has said that he believed Mr Trump had committed impeachable offences, voted with the Republican majority.

He had previously said Mr Trump provoked the mob and was undecided on whether to vote to convict.

His decision to back Mr Paul could prove pivotal in sending a signal to Republican senators when they decide whether to find Mr Trump guilty and bar him from holding future office.