Defence counsel says Donald Trump’s impeachment trial ‘will tear country apart’

David Schoen, a lawyer for former president Donald Trump, speaks during the second impeachment trial of Mr Trump in the Senate (AP)

A lawyer for Donald Trump argued that the former president’s impeachment trial should be dismissed, both because it is unconstitutional and because it will “tear this country apart”.

David Schoen said that Democrats are fuelled by a “hatred” of Mr Trump and fear that they will lose power.