Trump’s second impeachment trial to begin with vote over constitutionality

Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)

Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial is getting under way as the defeated former president stands accused of inciting the deadly mob attack on the US Capitol.

Mr Trump’s lawyers are insisting as the Senate trial opens that he is not guilty of the sole charge of “incitement of insurrection” and that his fiery words were just a figure of speech as he encouraged a rally crowd to “fight like hell” for his presidency.