Trump impeachment trial: Democrats, Republicans brace for high-stake battle

Democrats are unlikely to muster the two-thirds majority needed to remove Trump from office no matter what happens

President Donald Trump's impeachment trial resumed on Thursday for a second day of questioning by U.S. senators before they address the explosive issue of whether to call witnesses such as former national security adviser John Bolton.
 

Without witnesses, Republicans, who control the Senate, say the trial could end as early as Friday with Trump's acquittal, which would leave him in office and allow him to claim vindication just as the Democratic Party holds its first nominating contest for the Nov. 3 election in Iowa on Monday.
 

Trump will hold a rally in the state on Thursday night.
 

Democrats accuse the