All eyes turn to GOP as impeachment nears vote

Despite long odds, Democrats say they are holding out hope that former President Donald Trump will be convicted when the Senate votes on whether he incited the Jan. 6 Capitol attack.They would need a minimum of 17 Republicans to vote with them to convict Trump for incitement of insurrection. Among the Republicans whom Democrats are eyeing as the trial wraps up are frequent Trump critics, including Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Ben Sasse of Nebraska, Mitt Romney of Utah and Susan Collins of Maine.

They're also looking at retiring senators, including Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. Perhaps most importantly, they are looking at Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. The defense attorneys for Donald Trump earlier Friday wrapped up their presentation in the former president's impeachment trial, arguing that Trump didn't incite the Jan. 6 rally crowd to riot at the U.S. Capitol and that his words were merely figures of speech.

They say the case against Trump was a political witch hunt by Democrats and was not valid because he is no longer in office.Their truncated defense barely used the full time allotted, 16 hours over two days. Many senators minds appear already made up.Trump is accused of incitement of insurrection in the mob siege at the Capitol. Five people died.The case is likely to conclude as soon as Saturday.

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