Trump's impeachment trial might not wrap up today after all

Thought President Trump's impeachment trial was hours away from wrapping up? Think again.

The Senate on Friday morning seemed headed toward acquitting Trump as soon as this evening, but The Washington Post is now reporting the impeachment trial is looking like it might actually last into next week, possibly not ending until as late as next Wednesday.

According to the Post, the Senate may "take up a new procedural resolution laying out rules for the trial's endgame — which could include time for closing arguments, private deliberations and public speeches by senators."

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

If the trial ends up lasting until Wednesday, this would mean Trump would have not yet been acquitted by the time he delivers his State of the Union address, which is scheduled for Tuesday. It also means the trial wouldn't be over in time for Monday's Iowa caucuses, much to the chagrin of Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

Politico's Jake Sherman is reporting the same, writing that the trial going until next week is now "likely," while Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) told CNN Friday, "My guess is it probably is going to carry us over to the first part of next week." For now, the trial is set to resume at 1 p.m. Eastern.