Trump impeachment trial live updates: Biden makes 1st comments on acquittal

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., has gaveled the Senate to order, officially convening the impeachment trial. Leahy is currently the most senior Democratic senator, the president pro tempore, and as such is presiding over the proceedings.

The Senate chaplain led senators in a prayer and then the Pledge of Allegiance. After the Senate completed its morning business, the acting Senate Sergeant at Arms Jennifer Hemingway issued a proclamation beginning with, "Hear ye! Hear ye!" to the Senate chamber.

-ABC News' Trish Turner

The House impeachment managers, who will act as the prosecutors during the trial, gathered to walk to the Senate chamber.

The House impeachment managers include Rep. Jamie Raskin D-Md., will serve as the primary prosecutor for the trial among other House managers, Rep. Madeleine Dean D-Pa., Rep. Diana DeGette D-Colo., Rep. Ted Lieu D-Calif., Rep. Stacey Plaskett D-Virgin Islands, Rep. David Cicilline D-R.I., Rep. Joaquin Castro D-Texas, Rep. Joe Neguse D-Colo., and Rep. Eric Swalwell D-Calif.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders

As Trump faces an unprecedented second impeachment trial, here's how the impeachment process works.

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How the impeachment process works

What does it take to remove a president from office?

ABCNews.com

Maryland Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin will lead the House's prosecution, tapped by Speaker Nancy Pelosi to serve as the top impeachment manager. Raskin, a Harvard-educated, former constitutional law professor serving in his third term in the House, was the lead author of the impeachment article in the wake of the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Days earlier, on New Year's Eve, Raskin's son Thomas, who was following his father's footsteps at Harvard Law School, took his own life after battling depression. The Maryland lawmaker drew a standing ovation from his colleagues on the House floor as he thanked them for their "love and tenderness" over the loss of his son. He then proceeded with his remarks on the objections over accepting the election results. Less than an hour later, the Capitol was under siege and Raskin was sheltering under a desk with one of his two daughters and his son-in-law.

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Who is Jamie Raskin?

Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin has been appointed as the House’s lead manager in the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.

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-ABC News' John Parkinson