A majority of senators have voted to call witnesses in the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.

Five Republicans voted alongside Democrats to pass the motion. They were Sens. Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Mitt Romney Ben Sasse and Sen. Lindsey Graham.

Graham, a Republican from South Carolina and staunch Trump ally, changed his vote to "aye" at the last minute – presumably to support Trump's lawyers also calling witnesses in addition to the impeachment managers' request.

The Senate convened Saturday morning for the fifth day of the former President's second impeachment trial, the day after a brief, combative presentation by his defense team.

During the proceedings, Trump's lawyers argued that his speech at the rally that preceded the Capitol riot last month was "ordinary political rhetoric" and claimed that Democrats were motivated by their "political hatred" for the former president and had conducted a "sham" proceeding without due process. 

They also argued that Trump's remarks at the rally were constitutionally protected free speech and that convicting him would amount to "canceling" him and his supporters.

During the question-and-answer phase, the defense team wouldn't say when Trump knew the Capitol had been breached and whether he did anything to stop it.

(With input from agencies)