Impeachment II: The Sequel

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VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE TUE, FEB 09, 2021 CNBC POLITICS EDITOR'S NOTE Hello,   This is CNBC politics reporter Kevin Breuninger, filling in for Mike Calia.   Today marks the start of Donald Trump's impeachment trial – again. Despite the high likelihood of acquittal in an evenly divided Senate, Democratic House managers are charging ahead toward their goal of convicting Trump for inciting last month's deadly invasion of the U.S. Capitol – in their words, "the most grievous constitutional crime ever committed by a President."   Ask the Biden administration talk about it, however, and you might come away feeling they consider the whole thing to be a bit of a nuisance.   Trump's second impeachment trial is set to kick off nearly three weeks after President Joe Biden swooped into office, championing a message of national unity and vowing to take seismic, immediate action to defeat the coronavirus pandemic and strengthen an economy flashing warning signs.   Biden was, and is, clearly looking to punt the Trump era deep into the past. He wasted no time signing a suite of executive orders to cancel or hobble many of Trump's signature policies, and he's ramping up pressure on Congress to quickly pass his massive Covid relief package.   But with impeachment on the front burner, the Senate's time and focus are, at best, divided between Biden's agenda and his predecessor's lingering controversies.   Asked Tuesday morning about the trial, White House communications director Kate Bedingfield made clear where Biden's trained his sights. "He's going to stay focused on doing the business of the American people while we let the Senate handle its business this week," she said on MSNBC.   The trial starts this afternoon, with Democrats and Trump's lawyers each making their case for whether the Senate has jurisdiction under the Constitution to try the case. A subsequent vote on that question is certain to pass, but look out for GOP senators to focus on the process, rather than on Trump's conduct, throughout the trial.   Follow along with CNBC.com's live coverage of the impeachment trial this afternoon and over the next several days.   Thoughts? Email Politics Editor Mike Calia at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.   Have friends or colleagues who might like this newsletter? They can sign up here.    Subscribe to CNBC's daily new podcast The News with Shepard Smith, which provides deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day's most important stories. Mike Calia @Michael_Calia KEY STORIES  Here's what to know about former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial Democrats are determined to convict Trump in the wake of the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol, but experts see acquittal as the likely outcome of the trial. Trump lawyers blast Democrats before impeachment trial, deny he incited Capitol riot The brief came a day before Trump's historic second impeachment trial was set to begin in the Senate. House Democrats call for faster phase out in next round of stimulus checks Democrats proposed full $1,400 direct payments for individuals who make up to $75,000 and couples who earn up to $150,000. Biden and Yellen to meet with CEOs of JPMorgan, Walmart, Gap to talk stimulus Among those expected to meet with Biden and Treasury Secretary Yellen are JPMorgan's Jamie Dimon and Walmart's Doug McMillon. Trump impeachment prosecutors will use new evidence, aides say Former President Donald Trump is due to begin his impeachment trial in the Senate, where he is accused of inciting a mob that oppose the election of Joe Biden as president. Raising minimum wage to $15 would cost 1.4 million jobs, CBO says Raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour would cost 1.4 million jobs over the next four years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's donors largely stick with her after House ousts her from committees The House voted to remove Greene from several committees due to her past support of conspiracy theories and messages endorsing violence against lawmakers. Democrats unveil one-year plan to send up to $3,600 per child to households Democrats unveiled a plan to boost the Child Tax Credit, a temporary program that could lift millions of children from poverty.     Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2021 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS