Donald Trump looks all but certain to be acquitted by the
Senate – perhaps as imminently as Friday evening – after
Republicans came together to reject a
Democratic effort to force new evidence and witnesses ahead of the president's impeachment vote.Just two Republicans broke rank to vote with
Democrats in favour of further witnesses, which will likely allow Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell to make good on his previous promise not to act as an impartial juror. In response, Chuck Schumer cast the results as making it impossible for Mr Trump to be truly vindicated.