Republican Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell has reportedly told colleagues to vote with their conscience during Donald Trump’s impending impeachment trial.
In doing so, Mr McConnell effectively allowed members of his party to vote to convict the US president, who is likely to face trial after Joe Biden assumes the presidency next week.
Mr Trump has been charged with inciting the insurrection at the US Capitol last week, which left five people dead after pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol building following an incendiary rally by the president.
Since making an appearance at the US border in Texas on Tuesday, Mr Trump has not been seen in public, and instead has remained holed up inside the White House among a dwindling number of aides and allies.
