Trump’s appearance has also been met with criticism from some commentators.

In a separate proposed rule, the administration aims to protect the rights of religious student groups at public universities, giving them equal treatment with secular student groups.

Our prayers are with our country, all the members of the U.S. Senate and the president as this trial begins.

Despite the conceptual similarities, a Senate trial, formally referred to as a Court of Impeachment, is fundamentally different from a standard trial.

The U.S. executive branch has long been expanding its powers to wage war, writes Maryann Cusimano Love, but President Trump seems eager to go even further in acting without congressional authorization.

The president of the United States attempted to use his political power to coerce a foreign leader to harass and discredit one of the president's political opponents," he wrote.