Former President Donald Trump has announced a new legal defense team for his upcoming second impeachment trial, which is set to begin in the Senate on Feb. 9. According to a report from The Daily Caller, the original team decided to disband Sunday over strategies for arguing Trump’s defense.
Breaking – Five attorneys on Trump impeachment team leave less than two weeks before trial – CNNPolitics via @GloriaBorger @kaitlancollins @jeffzeleny @CNN https://t.co/wf5CeBaDY9
— Jamie Gangel (@jamiegangel) January 31, 2021
RELATED: Ohio Republicans Launch Bid To Make June 14 ‘President Donald J. Trump Day’
Out With The Old, In With The New
Trump was impeached by the House for a second time on charges of inciting a riot at the Capitol building in Washington D. C. on Jan. 6.
The original defense team consisted of Butch Bowers, a North Carolina attorney and and Tulane Law School grad, who worked in the Justice Department in the George W. Bush administration. He additionally worked in South Carolina government under Govs. Nikki Haley and Mark Sanford.
Also on the team was Deborah Barbier, a University of South Carolina Law School grad who served in the United States’ Attorney’s Office in South Carolina. Rounding out the original team was Josh Howard, Johnny Glasser, and Greg Harris.
RELATED: Most Americans Say Trump Impeachment Will Only Divide Us More
Getting Ready For Round Two Of Impeachment
In a press release on Sunday night, Trump announced the new legal team for impeachment. David Schoen, a Boston College Law School grad, is described as a, “seasoned trial attorney who has served as lead counsel in several high-profile matters”, including representing long time Trump ally Roger Stone.
Schoen said, “It is an honor to represent the 45th President, Donald J. Trump, and the United States Constitution.”
“It is an honor to represent the 45th President, Donald J. Trump, and the United States Constitution.”
Former President #DonaldTrump on Sunday named two attorneys, David Schoen and Bruce Castor Jr., who will lead his #impeachment defense legal team.https://t.co/4cv6CKgeYT
— The Epoch Times (@EpochTimes) February 1, 2021
Also on the new team is Bruce Castor, a Washington and Lee University law school grad who is the former District Attorney of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Of the new case, Castor stated, “I consider it a privilege to represent the 45th President.”
“The strength of our Constitution is about to be tested like never before in our history,” he continued. “It is strong and resilient. A document written for the ages, and it will triumph over partisanship yet again, and always.”
We look forward to watching our own Bruce Castor, former #montco District Attorney and Commissioner, former Acting PA Attorney General, and preeminent trial attorney, wipe the floor with Madeleine Dean during the forthcoming sham impeachment trial. pic.twitter.com/mfMM5im9JK
— MontCo GOP (@MontcoPaGOP) February 1, 2021
Debating The Best Strategy
The change in legal teams stems from an apparent difference of opinion on strategy. A report by CNN stated that Trump wanted attorneys to argue the presence of massive election fraud, and that the election had been stolen from him.
Bowers and Barbier wanted instead to argue the constitutionality of convicting a former president on articles of impeachment. Trump advisor Jason Miller said on Saturday, “Democrats’ efforts to impeach a president who has already left office is totally unconstitutional and so bad for our country.”
Schoen and Castor have made no comments on any legal strategies they may be taking. Neither of their initial statements made mention of election or voter fraud. At least 67 Senators would be needed for conviction of Trump of incitement. He would be prohibited from running for president again if convicted.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer promised a “relatively quick” trial, stating that, “I don’t think there’s a need for a whole lot of witnesses.”