Trump's Senate impeachment trial underway

An impeachment trial against U.S. President Donald Trump has begun in the Senate. It was formally opened with Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell's address. 

"Last Thursday, the United States Senate crossed one of the greatest thresholds that exists in our system of government. We began just the third presidential impeachment trial in American history. This is a unique responsibility," McConnell said.

He added that only the Senate could handle this issue. According to McConnell, this trial will be the Senate's "entrance exam."

Democratic leader Chuck Schumer criticized McConnell's initial proposal for President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, NBC news reported.

"His resolution creates a trial that is rushed, with as little evidence as possible and done in the dark of night," Schumer said.