President Joe Biden does not believe the Senate will convict former President Donald Trump at his upcoming impeachment trial.
Biden made the prediction in a brief off-camera interview with CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins on Monday night.
The president said he doubts 17 Senate Republican would vote to convict Trump of inciting the Capitol riot, which would be needed to clear the Constitution’s two-thirds requirement.
“The Senate has changed since I was there, but it hasn’t changed that much,” Biden reportedly said.
Despite his outlook of a conviction in the impeachment trial, Biden told CNN, “I think it has to happen.”
Biden added there would be “a worse effect if it didn’t happen.”
His remarks to CNN came as the House delivered the article of impeachment against Trump to the Senate, allowing the trial to begin.
Senators will be sworn in as jurors Tuesday, but the trial then will be paused to allow Trump’s legal team to prepare a defense — and to allow Biden nominees to be confirmed in the meantime.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) says presentations will begin the week of Feb. 8.