An attorney for former President Donald Trump has withdrawn his already-granted request that the impeachment trial be paused during the Jewish Sabbath, according to reports.
Trump impeachment attorney David Schoen, an observant Jew, sent a letter to Senate leaders on Monday reversing course, asking that the trial continue on Friday night and Saturday to avoid delays, according to Fox News reporter Chad Pergram.
Schoen, in the letter which was obtained by Pergram, noted he “will not participate during the Sabbath; but the role I would have played will be fully covered to the satisfaction of the defense team.”
His initial request was granted by Senate leaders, who announced Monday the impeachment trial would be suspended by 5 p.m. Friday and reconvene on Sunday.
It was not immediately clear if Schoen’s withdrawal will lead to a change in the schedule of the impeachment, which begins Tuesday afternoon with arguments on its constitutionality.