If all his lawyers quit, Trump should represent himself at his Senate impeachment trial Trump is not bound by the ethical obligations that govern lawyers. He could use the 'I was robbed' strategy and stoke his base with no repercussions. Austin Sarat and Dennis Aftergut Opinion contributors The impending impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump has raised important legal and political questions for the nation and for Trump himself. Among them: Is it constitutional for the Senate to try and convict a president no longer in office? Is it better in the name of national unity to forgo holding the former president accountable for inciting the U.S. Capitol attack on Jan. 6, or can healing come only after accountability?