Almost ready.... C-SPAN2 cameras are live in the chamber.....

First words uttered by Majority Leader McConnell: "Colleagues, let's take our seats...."

Senate Chaplain Retired Adm. Barry Black opens with Prayer.....

CJ Roberts leads the Pledge of Allegiance...

Sgt. at Arms makes the Proclamation...

McConnell wishes CJ Roberts a Happy Birthday..... expect a break every 2 hours.... 6PM dinner break, yields to CJ Roberts who announces that Defense has 22 hours and 5 minutes remaining....

Sekulow kicks it off....

Sekulow overview:

- provides summary overview of where we are to date.... lists undisputed facts.... included is a detailed description of the complete and total propriety of the President's acts wrt the 7/25 call....
- highlights the fact that "policy disputes" are what is at issue...
- we are going to have a series of lawyers address you..... on a variety of issues....
- first, an overview of historical and Constitutional issues will be provided by Judge Kenneth Star

Starr will address the Constitutional deficiencies of the 2 articles....

Interestingly Starr points out that the members of the Senate take an Oath for impeachment, and the House members do not.... Senate is now essentially a court... a sitting tribunal.... historically referred to as the "high court of impeachment"

Brings up Federalist 78 discussion of roles of courts.... versus legislative bodies.... highlights impartiality as a key element of courts....

Discussion of Independent Counsel Act and the age of impeachment.... points out unconstitutionally of ICA... as an infringement on the Executive.....


He is patiently building a narrative showing how history has lead us to today.... the emergence of political impeachment....

(I know that there will be criticism aplenty over this slow moving, understated opening...)

Quote: Tinker wrote in post #20

---

Not from me there won't! He is talking to an audience made up of mostly lawyers most of whom have never been taught any of that.

---

Geez Louise.... a stupid monthly EBS test comes screaming on.....

Sekulow back up....

Highlights that Starr laid out the solemn nature of these proceedings....

Contrast that to what took place in the House upon signing of the articles of impeachment..... pens.... a celebratory moment..... think about that....

think about this.... a poignant moment....

we are next going to address a series of facts with Mike Purpura....

(Note well: I believe that Starr mentioned that Dershowitz would be speaking this evening....)

Before introducing Purpura, Sekulow highlights the facts reviewed on Saturday....

Mike Purpura now up.... (indicates that they will be ready to break at the conclusion of his testimony if it meets with the Leader's requirements)

Purpura play voideo of Stefanik getting Sondland testimony on security assistance pause....

Purpura reads back testimony from House witnesses that describe why POTUS should be concerned about Ukraine corruption....

Now plays video of Morrison and Hale testimony describing Trump's view of the need for greater burden sharing with allies....