By Alex Swoyer and Dave Boyer
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton could be impeached as a private citizen and banned from running for office again under the precedent set in the trial of former President Donald Trump, Mr. Trumpâs lawyer told senators on Friday.
âThis could happen to ⊠the former secretary of state,â said lawyer Michael van der Veen. âIt could happen to a lot of people. Thatâs not the way this is supposed to work.â
Sen. Marco Rubio, Florida Republican, asked whether the trial of Mr. Trump âwould create a new precedentâ for other former officials such as Mrs. Clinton.
âIs it not true that under this new precedent, facing calls to âlock her up,â a future House could impeach a former Secretary of State and potentially disqualify her from any future office?â Mr. Rubio asked.
âIf you see it their way, yes,â Mr. van der Veen said, referring to the House Democratic impeachment managers.
Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the lead impeachment manager, said the hypothetical question âhas no bearing on this case.â
âThis official was not impeached in office for conduct while in office,â he said without mentioning Mrs. Clintonâs name.
Mr. Trump was impeached on Jan. 13, one week before he left office, for inciting the riot at the U.S. Capitol. Democrats are hoping to disqualify him from holding office again.
