(CNN) – The second indictment of former President Donald Trump in the Senate will begin this Tuesday. There are some important questions about the test that remain unanswered: How long will it last? Will witnesses be called?

The final outcome of the trial does not appear to be in doubt: Trump will be acquitted by the Senate for a second time, less than the two-thirds vote required for sentencing.

But that doesn’t mean they won’t have theatrical scope next week, and for the next two weeks, because House prosecutors are describing the devastation caused by the January 6 riots and arguing that Trump was the instigator. Insurgents to plunder American capital.

See: Trump quickly dismisses prosecutors’ requests to testify in his indictment

House Democrats demanded testimony from Trump at Thursday’s hearing, which was soon rejected by Trump’s legal team.
Democrats are unlikely to endanger the protracted legal war by quoting the former president because they think he could argue that he provoked the rebels without testimony, as they quickly accused him of “inciting insurgency” a week later. .

But Democrats’ brief attempt to testify to Trump underscores logistics barriers Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell have yet to face the first phase of a second trial. Trump politician: his rules.

The Senate wants Trump’s second hearing to be swift

Schumer and McConnell and their advisers are engaged in extensive discussions on the resolution of the inquiry, which will be passed by the Senate before the debates begin. Unlike last year’s hearing, both parties hope to reach a two – party agreement on the parameters of the trial, which is the norm, for example, how long prosecution lawyers and the defense committee can talk, how witnesses can be called and other matters.

There is reason for bipartisan confidence in the Senate, at least when it comes to logistics, both sides seek a speedy trial. While House prosecutors are considering a procedure that could last up to two weeks, some Senate Democrats are pushing for a quick adjournment.

See: Democrats say Trump’s testimony is not needed to discuss the allegations in the indictment

The reason is simple. Senate Democrats are embarking on an effort to implement President Joe Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion incentive plan, which is a high-level act that all Senate Democrats should be on board. In addition, Biden still has a list of candidates to be confirmed by the Senate. Nothing will happen until Trump’s second indictment is over.

With Republicans in no hurry to confirm Biden’s cabinet, they do not want the public to be frantic over a lengthy January 6 – and former president – trial.

It is the expectation of all parties that Trump’s second trial will be less than the first case, which lasted three weeks. How short is still being negotiated.

Schumacher’s office said Saturday night that the Senate would accept a request by one of Trump’s indictment lawyers, David Shoen, to suspend the Sabbath trial.

The case is being re-assigned to another judge, and will return to court on Sunday.

“We respect your request and will certainly accommodate it. Discussions are ongoing with the relevant parties regarding the structure of the investigation,” said Schumer’s spokesman Justin Goodman.

There must be an agreement between the senators to hold the hearing on a Sunday. The New York Times first reported on this development.

Senator Patrick Leahy, a Democrat from Vermont who is temporarily pro-presidential, the oldest senator in the majority party, is heading for Trump’s second charge to replace Chief Justice John Roberts. Roberts, who oversaw Trump’s first indictment, chose not to oversee the proceedings because Trump is no longer in office, Schumer said.

Republican Senators Trial Poll Forecast

When Senator Rand Paul voted on the constitution of Trump’s indictment last month, arguing that punishing the former president was unconstitutional, only five Republicans joined all Democrats in violating the Kentucky Republican resolution.

This is an eye-opening vote as Democrats need at least 17 Republican senators to vote to convict Trump and prevent him from running for office in the future.

Many Democrats and Republicans alike have pointed to Paul’s proposed vote as a sign of what the final referendum might look like. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell sided with Paul in the vote, suggesting that early signs that he might be open to condemning Trump would not lead him to do so.