News Mash-up: Trump’s Impeachment Trial

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. incite / ɪnˈsaɪt / (v) – to urge or cause someone to act in a violent, harmful, or unlawful way
    Example:

    The man was arrested for inciting the crowd to damage property.


  2. proceeding / prəˈsi dɪŋ / (n) – a legal action
    Example:

    Legal proceedings were brought against the company for the damage it did to the environment.


  3. acquit / əˈkwɪt / (v) – to legally declare that someone is not guilty of a crime through a court case
    Example:

    The suspect was acquitted, but many people still think he committed the murder.


  4. accountability / əˌkaʊn təˈbɪl ɪ ti / (n) – the state of being responsible for something, especially one’s words, actions, or decisions
    Example:

    My manager needs to take more accountability for my department’s performance.


  5. insurrection / ˌɪn səˈrɛk ʃən / (n) – an attempt by a group of people to take control of a government, usually through violence
    Example:

    The group is accused of planning an insurrection against the government.


Article

Read the text below.

Trump’s impeachment trial starts in US Senate


Donald Trump’s impeachment trial began Feb. 9 after U.S. senators voted to move forward with the trial on a charge of inciting the deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol, rejecting a claim the proceeding was unconstitutional.


The Senate voted 56-44 to proceed with its trial of the former president, a historic first, rejecting largely along party lines his defense lawyers’ argument that a president cannot face trial after leaving the White House. Democrats hope to disqualify Trump from ever again holding public office. (Reuters)


Trump acquitted for 2nd time by US Senate


Donald Trump on Feb. 13 was acquitted by the U.S. Senate in his second impeachment trial in 12 months, as his fellow Republicans shielded him from accountability for the deadly assault by his supporters on the U.S. Capitol.


The vote of 57-43 fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to convict the former president on a charge of incitement of insurrection after a five-day trial in the same building that was raided by Trump supporters on Jan. 6. (Reuters)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Were you surprised by the outcome of Trump’s second impeachment trial? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Do you think that Trump should have been found guilty of inciting the deadly assault? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Do you agree with the Republicans’ argument that a president cannot face trial after leaving the White House? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • If you were a politician and someone in your party committed a crime, would you try to shield him/her from accountability in order to maintain political power? Why or why not? Discuss.