The Trump White House announced a few new, yet familiar names that are joining the president's defense team as the Senate impeachment trial officially gets underway next week.
The president's expanded defense team now includes Kenneth Starr and Alan Dershowitz. Starr is the former independent counsel who led the Whitewater investigation into President Bill Clinton in the 1990s, which led to his impeachment. Dershowitz is a former Harvard University law professor who has been a part of a few high profile, successful defense teams such as the group that got O.J. Simpson acquitted n 1995.
He released the following statement following Friday's announcement.
STATEMENT REGARDING PROFESSOR DERSHOWITZ’S ROLE IN THE SENATE TRIAL - Professor Dershowitz will present oral arguments at the Senate trial to address the constitutional arguments against impeachment and removal. (1of 2)
— Alan Dershowitz (@AlanDersh) January 17, 2020
(2 of 3) While Professor Dershowitz is non partisan when it comes to the constitution—he opposed the impeachment of President Bill Clinton and voted for Hillary Clinton— he believes the issues at stake go to the heart of our enduring Constitution.
— Alan Dershowitz (@AlanDersh) January 17, 2020
(3of 3) He is participating in this impeachment trial to defend the integrity of the Constitution and to prevent the creation of a dangerous constitutional precedent.
— Alan Dershowitz (@AlanDersh) January 17, 2020
Trump's defense team will also include former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi, Robert Ray, and Jane Raskin. White House Counsel Pat Cipollone and American Center for Law and Justice founder Jay Sekulow will serve as lead lawyers.
The Senate impeachment trial will begin next Tuesday, January 21 at 1 p.m.
