The prospect the Republican-controlled Senate will impeach President Donald Trump looms large as 26 of the chamber's 50 GOP senators remain silent on acquitting the president of the crime of "incitement of insurrection."

The Democrat-dominated House of Representatives on January 13 convicted Trump of this single article of impeachment by a vote of 232 to 179. Ten Republican House members joined with Democrats in voting to impeach Trump for a second time. Trump is the only president to have suffered the ignominy of a second impeachment.

All 48 Senate Democrats and the two independents that caucus with them are expected to vote to impeach Trump when his trial begins on January 20, a few hours after Joe Biden is sworn in as the 46th U.S. president. On the other hand, 17 Republican senators will have to vote with Democrats to impeach Trump.

Right-wing news outlet Fox News said it had talked to all Republican senators and only 13 confirmed they will vote to acquit Trump on the charge of "incitement of insurrection."

It said these pro-Trump senators such as Sen. Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, Sen. Ted Cruz from Texas, and Sen. Bill Hagert from Tennesee would vote to acquit on concerns over further dividing the already fractured country.

"At a time when the United States needs national healing and a true commitment to the rule of law, the American people should look to their legislators not to deepen partisan division, but to bring us together," said Hagerty.

In contrast, 12 senators are said to be ready to convict Trump in a Senate trial. They only need five more to obtain the two-thirds majority needed to impeach Trump.

The remaining senators have remained silent about voting against impeachment. This stunning refusal to commit to acquit is triggering rumors Republicans might vote to impeach Trump this time around to stamp-out Trumpism and regain control of their party and its pro-Trumpp base.

Republican senators sitting on the fence include Sens. Susan Collins, of Maine; Mike Crapo, Indiana; Chuck Grassley, Iowa; James Lankford, Oklahoma; and Rob Portman, of Ohio.

These senators said they'll wait until the impeachment trial before issuing a verdict to convict Trump and remove him from office. A guilty verdict will also bar Trump from running for any elective office for life. It will also effectively end Trump's dream of contesting the presidency in 2024.

Catalysts for Trump's potential impeachment by Republicans were the loss of two Senate seats in Georgia and the insurrection of July 6 fomented by Trump.

Senate majority leader Sen. Mitch McConnell blames Trump for the loss of Georgia. GOP sources told the media that if McConnell supports conviction, Trump almost will certainly be convicted by 67 senators in the Senate impeachment trial.

"If Mitch is a yes, he's done," said one Senate GOP source.

Persons close to McConnell said the Senate leader has come to the conclusion Trump committed impeachable offenses by inciting the violent insurrection on January 6 that trashed the U.S. Capitol Building and led to the deaths of five people.

McConnell also believes the Democrats' move to impeach Trump will make it easier for him to purge Trump from the party and cripple Trumpism and its mob rule.

In a memo to Senate Republicans, McConnell didn't defend Trump while explaining why it would be difficult to hold a Senate trial before January 20 because the Senate remains in recess.

In private discussions, however, McConnell said he believes now is the time to get rid of Trump. He also roundly condemned the insurrection fomented by Trump.

McConnell is furious about the January 6 attack on the Capitol by Trump's supporters and is also angered that Trump has shown no contrition for this attempted coup d'etat.

"This failed attempt to obstruct the Congress, this failed insurrection, only underscores how crucial the task before us is for our republic," said McConnell as the Senate reconvened in the early morning hours of January 7 to complete the electoral count disrupted by Trump's mob.

"Our nation was founded precisely so that the free choice of the American people is what shapes our self-government and determines the destiny of our nation."

GOP insiders agree the relationship between McConnell and Trump has essentially collapsed. McConnell and Trump have not spoken since the former acknowledged Biden's win on the Senate floor on December 16.

McConnell and many other Republican senators now regard Trump as a political and constitutional threat after four years of backing Trump and refusing to condemn his most outrageous actions.