The US Senate has found that the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump is constitutional, allowing full proceedings to begin, the BBC reports.
Mr Trump’s defence team argued that he cannot face trial after leaving the White House.
But a 56-44 majority voted in favour of continuing, with a handful of Republicans backing the measure.
Mr Trump is accused of “inciting insurrection” when Congress was stormed last month.
Thousands gathered in support of false claims that widespread electoral fraud denied Mr Trump victory in the US presidential election.
Democrats prosecuting the case opened Tuesday’s proceedings by showing a video montage of Mr Trump’s 6 January speech and the deadly rioting by some of his supporters.
“That’s a high crime and misdemeanour,” Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland said of the footage. “If that’s not an impeachable offence, then there’s no such thing.”
