FGCU political science professor, Peter Bergerson has been teaching politics for more than 50 years.
“Well, this is the third impeachment process I’ve actively been involved in,” said Bergerson.
He remembers the impeachment process of President Clinton and Nixon.
“President Nixon was at the stage we are right now with President Trump,” said Bergerson.
Bergerson said the impeachment process is essentially a trial. In this case, Democrats in the House, who are in the majority, essentially take on the role of being the prosecutors.
“The House of Representatives investigates the behavior and activities of the President,” said Bergerson.
Now that the House has voted to impeach Trump, the trial phase happens in the Senate.
“The Senators in essence serve as a jury,” said Bergerson.
The Senate trial will likely happen in Mid-January and last for about a week or two.
It would take two-thirds vote or in other words 67 Senators to remove Trump from office.
However, Bergerson does not see that happening because Republicans have a majority in the Senate and they won't vote against him.
In fact, SWFL congressman Francis Rooney, who's republican, didn't vote for impeachment after recently saying he was considering it.
He's not running for re-election and Bergerson predicts the republicans running to replace him will be even more pro-Trump.
“Their loyalty to President Trump is going to be an important in who wins the primary and most likely the general election,” said Bergerson.
There is a Democrat, David Holden is also running for the seat. Holden has been critical of the President.
The primary election is in August of next year and the general will be in November.
