How will the Donald Trump impeachment trial unfold?

The House of Representatives impeached Mr Trump on January 13

Insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump climb on an inauguration platform on the West Front of the US Capitol in Washington on January 6 (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Former US president Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial will force the Senate to decide whether to convict him of incitement of insurrection after a violent mob of his supporters laid siege to the US Capitol on January 6.

While Mr Trump’s acquittal is expected, Democrats hope to gain at least some Senate Republican votes by linking his actions to a vivid description of the violence, which resulted in five deaths and sent legislators fleeing for safety.