US President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that California Sen. Adam Schiff could be the next political enemy to face criminal charges after ex-FBI Director James Comey and New York state Attorney General Leticia James were indicted. Trump implored the “necessary authorities” to revisit his first impeachment, which was led by then-Rep. Schiff (D-Calif.). Trump claimed the case, which was over allegations he pressured Ukraine to dig up dirt on the Biden family, was a “hoax.” “The Ukraine Impeachment (of me!) Scam was a far bigger Illegal Hoax than Watergate,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I sincerely hope the necessary authorities, including CONGRESS, are looking into this! Adam ‘Schiffty’ Schiff was sooo dishonest and corrupt.” “So many laws, and protocols, were violated, and just plain broken!!!”&nbsp;&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;Trump had been impeached in early 2020 on accusations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress before being acquitted by the Senate weeks later.Schiff had been a chief manager in the 2020 impeachment effort. Trump was later impeached a second time just before his term expired over the Jan. 6, 2021, US Capitol riot.The first impeachment was centred around accusations that Trump’s team held up $391 million in security aid to Ukraine as part of an effort to get Kyiv to assist with Rudy Giuliani’s investigation into the Biden family.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nobel-laureates-abhijit-banerjee-esther-duflo-to-leave-us-move-to-zurich-amid-funding-cuts-1760280303367">Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo to leave US, move to Zurich amid funding cuts</a>&nbsp;Last month, Trump publicly pressed Bondi about the lack of progress on the DOJ’s investigations of Comey, James and Schiff. All three have strenuously denied wrongdoing.&nbsp;WATCH: Afghanistan and Pakistan engage in cross-border military clash along the Durand Line<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-and-pakistan-engage-in-cross-border-military-clash-along-the-durand-line-1760291443833/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/afghanistan-and-pakistan-engage-in-cross-border-military-clash-along-the-durand-line-1760291443833/embed</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;Schiff is now the only one of the three who has not been indicted yet. In August, Attorney General Pam Bondi tasked Ed Martin as a Special Attorney with overseeing the DOJ investigation into Schiff for potential mortgage fraud, bank fraud and wire fraud.The Golden State Democrat has been accused of various crimes for certifying a Maryland property as his primary residence while also declaring his California condominium as his main home for tax and mortgage purposes.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-operation-blue-star-a-mistake-wrong-way-to-retrieve-golden-temple-chidambaram-1760272851608">‘Operation Blue Star a mistake, wrong way to retrieve Golden Temple’: Chidambaram</a>&nbsp;Those accusations revolve around federally backed loans from 2003 to 2019, and Schiff allegedly benefited from tax breaks and lower interest rates as a result.Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte made a referral against Schiff in April 2025.

Trump had been impeached in early 2020 on accusations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress before being acquitted by the Senate weeks later. Schiff had been a chief manager in the 2020 impeachment effort. Trump was later impeached a second time just before his term expired.

US President Donald Trump suggested on Sunday that California Sen. Adam Schiff could be the next political enemy to face criminal charges after ex-FBI Director James Comey and New York state Attorney General Leticia James were indicted. Trump implored the “necessary authorities” to revisit his first impeachment, which was led by then-Rep. Schiff (D-Calif.). Trump claimed the case, which was over allegations he pressured Ukraine to dig up dirt on the Biden family, was a “hoax.” “The Ukraine Impeachment (of me!) Scam was a far bigger Illegal Hoax than Watergate,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I sincerely hope the necessary authorities, including CONGRESS, are looking into this! Adam ‘Schiffty’ Schiff was sooo dishonest and corrupt.” “So many laws, and protocols, were violated, and just plain broken!!!”

Trump had been impeached in early 2020 on accusations of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress before being acquitted by the Senate weeks later. Schiff had been a chief manager in the 2020 impeachment effort. Trump was later impeached a second time just before his term expired.

‘Sooo dishonest and corrupt’: Trump hints Sen. Adam Schiff could be next to face charges

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Sep 19) openly pressed his Justice Department to pursue cases against his political rivals, a move that critics say further erodes the agency's independence. In a post on his social media platform, Trump called on "Pam" — apparently Attorney General Pam Bondi —demanding swift legal action against California Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Both Democrats have long been thorns in Trump's side.<h2>What did Trump say?</h2>In his Truth Social post, Trump went on a rant against "Adam 'Shifty' Schiff, Leticia" while claiming that he fired Erik Siebert: "A Woke RINO, who was never going to do his job. That’s why two of the worst Dem Senators PUSHED him so hard. He even lied to the media and said he quit, and that we had no case. No, I fired him, and there is a GREAT CASE, and many lawyers, and legal pundits, say so." &nbsp;Trump then claimed the Justice Department was dragging its feet. "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility," he wrote.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/can-trump-s-1m-gold-card-buy-you-us-citizenship-here-s-the-truth-1758358378289">Can Trump’s $1M ‘Gold Card’ buy you US citizenship? Here’s the truth</a><h2>Who are Schiff and James?</h2>Schiff and James are among those accused by Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency and a close Trump ally, of falsifying documents on mortgage applications.The president's pressure campaign came a day after he reportedly fired Erik Siebert, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. Siebert had reportedly refused to pursue fraud charges against James, citing insufficient evidence. Meanwhile, in an email to staff on Friday, Siebert announced his resignation, according to The New York Times and other outlets. Trump quickly countered: "I fired him, and there is a GREAT CASE, and many lawyers, and legal pundits, say so."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-slams-us-media-calls-negative-coverage-illegal-after-jimmy-kimmel-show-suspension-stirs-free-speech-debate-1758343869435">Trump slams US media, calls negative coverage 'illegal' after Jimmy Kimmel show suspension stirs free speech debate</a>The clash is the latest chapter in Trump's long-running battles with Schiff and James. Schiff led the first impeachment case against him in 2019, when Trump was accused of pressuring Ukraine to interfere in the election. James, as New York's attorney general, later brought a civil fraud suit that found Trump had inflated his net worth to secure better financial terms. A state court initially ordered him to pay $464 million, though an appeals court later removed the fine while keeping the judgment intact.Trump's fury was on full display Saturday: "They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!".The president’s legal troubles have piled up over the years. He has been convicted of 34 felonies tied to hush money payments to a porn star. Earlier this month, a federal appeals court also upheld an $83.3 million defamation verdict in favour of writer E. Jean Carroll, whom Trump was found to have sexually assaulted. Several other cases, including probes into his handling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election, were dropped after his return to office last year.&nbsp;

President Donald Trump has called on the Justice Department to take legal action against his political rivals. The demand came a day after Trump reportedly fired Erik Siebert, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday (Sep 19) openly pressed his Justice Department to pursue cases against his political rivals, a move that critics say further erodes the agency's independence. In a post on his social media platform, Trump called on "Pam" — apparently Attorney General Pam Bondi —demanding swift legal action against California Senator Adam Schiff and New York Attorney General Letitia James. Both Democrats have long been thorns in Trump's side. What did Trump say? In his Truth Social post, Trump went on a rant against "Adam 'Shifty' Schiff, Leticia" while claiming that he fired Erik Siebert: "A Woke RINO, who was never going to do his job. That’s why two of the worst Dem Senators PUSHED him so hard. He even lied to the media and said he quit, and that we had no case. No, I fired him, and there is a GREAT CASE, and many lawyers, and legal pundits, say so." Trump then claimed the Justice Department was dragging its feet. "We can't delay any longer, it's killing our reputation and credibility," he wrote.

President Donald Trump has called on the Justice Department to take legal action against his political rivals. The demand came a day after Trump reportedly fired Erik Siebert, the US attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Trump goes after his enemies, openly instructs Justice Department to take action against people that impeached him: 'JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW'

Top Democrat leader Adam Schiff on Wednesday (Jul&nbsp;17) publicly urged United States President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race&nbsp;for another candidate. House&nbsp;Representative Schiff became the most heavyweight Democrat so far to ask Biden to make way for somebody else to face&nbsp;Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for November presidential elections.

Schiff called on Joe Biden&nbsp;to "pass the torch".

The top Democrat and&nbsp;a key congressional powerbroker praised the incumbent president. But Schiff&nbsp;told the Los Angeles Times that he doubts that the 81-year-old incumbent can defeat Trump, whom he described as a threat to "the very foundation of our democracy."

Also watch |&nbsp;US: Seven democrats ask Biden to step aside

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The Californian, who is expected to win a Senate seat this November, is one of the most influential members of the Democratic Party.

Schiff served as chairman of the House intelligence panel when Democrats had the majority in 2019. He shot to nationwide prominence as lead prosecutor during then-president Trump's first impeachment trial.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-should-be-removed-impeachment-trial-276268">Donald Trump 'should be removed': Adam Schiff</a>

In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Schiff aired his&nbsp;worries&nbsp;that have taken over the Democrats, which they often expressed&nbsp;in private. There are concerns among the Democrats that&nbsp;Biden's age and health will doom him and the party in the November election.

These concerns were aggravated after the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's&nbsp;performance&nbsp;in a televised debate with Trump last month when the incumbent US president looked confused and was often unable to articulate his thoughts.

Since then, Biden has repeatedly said he intends to stay in the race. However, polls show a tight overall contest with&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;reportedly pulling ahead in key swing states.

Schiff called Biden "one of the most consequential presidents in our nation's history."

However, "a second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the president can defeat Donald Trump in November."

Biden should "secure his legacy" by stepping aside, Schiff said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Top Democrat leader Adam Schiff on Wednesday (Jul 17) publicly urged United States President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race for another candidate.

Top Democrat leader Adam Schiff on Wednesday (Jul 17) publicly urged United States President Joe Biden to drop out of the presidential race for another candidate. House Representative Schiff became the most heavyweight Democrat so far to ask Biden to make way for somebody else to face Donald Trump, the Republican nominee for November presidential elections. Schiff called on Joe Biden to "pass the torch". The top Democrat and a key congressional powerbroker praised the incumbent president. But Schiff told the Los Angeles Times that he doubts that the 81-year-old incumbent can defeat Trump, whom he described as a threat to "the very foundation of our democracy." Also watch | US: Seven democrats ask Biden to step aside × The Californian, who is expected to win a Senate seat this November, is one of the most influential members of the Democratic Party. Schiff served as chairman of the House intelligence panel when Democrats had the majority in 2019. He shot to nationwide prominence as lead prosecutor during then-president Trump's first impeachment trial. Also read | Donald Trump 'should be removed': Adam Schiff In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Schiff aired his worries that have taken over the Democrats, which they often expressed in private. There are concerns among the Democrats that Biden's age and health will doom him and the party in the November election. These concerns were aggravated after the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee's performance in a televised debate with Trump last month when the incumbent US president looked confused and was often unable to articulate his thoughts. Since then, Biden has repeatedly said he intends to stay in the race. However, polls show a tight overall contest with Trump reportedly pulling ahead in key swing states. Schiff called Biden "one of the most consequential presidents in our nation's history." However, "a second Trump presidency will undermine the very foundation of our democracy, and I have serious concerns about whether the president can defeat Donald Trump in November." Biden should "secure his legacy" by stepping aside, Schiff said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Pass the torch': Biden faces strongest call so far to drop out of White House race

Democrats erupted in outrage Friday over news that Donald&nbsp;Trump's Justice Department secretly surveilled lawmakers probing possible collusion with Russia, reaping the phone records of top political foes in what they called an unprecedented abuse of power.

Democrats Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell said they were recently told by Apple that during 2017-2021 the company had been ordered to hand over records of their phone communications, as well as those of family members including a child, as&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;fought a flow of damaging leaks on his 2016 election campaign's links to Russia.

No proof they were the sources of leaks was ever presented, yet the probe stayed alive for as long as&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;remained in office, to January 2021.

Schiff called it "the weaponization of law enforcement by a corrupt president."

"The politicization of the department and the attacks on the rule of law are among the most dangerous assaults on our democracy carried out by the former president," he said in a statement.

Senate leaders threatened to subpoena two&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;attorneys general, Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr, who oversaw the surveillance, to testify on the issue.

"This is a gross abuse of power and an assault on the separation of powers," said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin in a statement.

The Justice Department, now led by Attorney General Merrick Garland, appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden, said Friday that its inspector general would investigate the use of subpoenas and other powers to probe lawmakers and journalists under&nbsp;Trump.

Echoes of Watergate

Analysts called the collection of lawmakers' phone data one of the most egregious abuses by a president since Richard Nixon's early 1970s Watergate scandal.

The secret surveillance took place as&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;faced investigations by special counsel Robert Mueller and by the House Intelligence Committee -- where Schiff was then the top Democrat -- into whether his campaign colluded with Russian election meddling and whether&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;tried to obstruct those investigations.

As they progressed and the threat of impeachment intensified,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;accused Schiff and other Democrats of leaking classified intelligence to reporters.

It was not known if&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;explicitly told the Justice Department to investigate Schiff and Swalwell.

But he repeatedly accused Schiff of leaks, tweeting some 350 times about the senior Democrat, who became chairman of the Intelligence Committee in 2019 and led&nbsp;Trump's first impeachment trial in January 2020 -- which ultimately saw the president acquitted by the Republican-led Senate.

Under Justice Department order, Apple handed over the metadata records of calls and texts -- essentially the phone numbers of those in contact with the subjects of the probe -- though not the content of those communications.

The surveillance remained secret because Apple was placed under a "gag order" that was renewed three times between 2017 and 2020, even though no charges were generated.

Swalwell and Schiff only learned of the surveillance in May after the last gag order on Apple expired.

'Fishing expedition'

Collecting a lawmaker's phone records is virtually unheard of, except in corruption investigations. And even then the Justice Department handles the cases gingerly.&nbsp;

Surveilling members of Congress -- particularly rivals of the president's Republican party -- is an extreme case that would demand strong justification and top-level approval in the department.

With some 100 people covered, it appeared to be a poorly justified "fishing expedition," Schiff said.

The revelation came on the back of Justice Department admissions that under&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;it collected the phone records of a number of high-profile journalists&nbsp;in leak investigations.

The surveillance came, Swalwell said, because the House Intelligence investigation turned up information "that the president didn't like. We showed that the president sought help from Russia, benefitted from help from Russia" in the 2016 election.

"This is about everyday Americans who don't want the government to weaponize law enforcement against them because of their political beliefs," he said.

Lawmakers urged Garland to clean house and remove and&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;allies who participated in the surveillance.

Patrick Toomey the American Civil Liberties Union said weak laws enable abuses.

"This is what happens when broad and secretive spying powers are left to the discretion of the executive branch," he said.

"Our laws should prevent this from happening, not enable abuses of power that trample on people's rights and threaten our democracy.”

Democrats erupted in outrage Friday over news that Donald Trump's Justice Department secretly surveilled lawmakers probing possible collusion with Russia, reaping the phone records of top political foes in what they called an unprecedented abuse of power.

Democrats erupted in outrage Friday over news that Donald Trump's Justice Department secretly surveilled lawmakers probing possible collusion with Russia, reaping the phone records of top political foes in what they called an unprecedented abuse of power. Democrats Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell said they were recently told by Apple that during 2017-2021 the company had been ordered to hand over records of their phone communications, as well as those of family members including a child, as Trump fought a flow of damaging leaks on his 2016 election campaign's links to Russia. No proof they were the sources of leaks was ever presented, yet the probe stayed alive for as long as Trump remained in office, to January 2021. Schiff called it "the weaponization of law enforcement by a corrupt president." "The politicization of the department and the attacks on the rule of law are among the most dangerous assaults on our democracy carried out by the former president," he said in a statement. Senate leaders threatened to subpoena two Trump attorneys general, Jeff Sessions and Bill Barr, who oversaw the surveillance, to testify on the issue. "This is a gross abuse of power and an assault on the separation of powers," said Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin in a statement. The Justice Department, now led by Attorney General Merrick Garland, appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden, said Friday that its inspector general would investigate the use of subpoenas and other powers to probe lawmakers and journalists under Trump. Echoes of Watergate Analysts called the collection of lawmakers' phone data one of the most egregious abuses by a president since Richard Nixon's early 1970s Watergate scandal. The secret surveillance took place as Trump faced investigations by special counsel Robert Mueller and by the House Intelligence Committee -- where Schiff was then the top Democrat -- into whether his campaign colluded with Russian election meddling and whether Trump tried to obstruct those investigations. As they progressed and the threat of impeachment intensified, Trump accused Schiff and other Democrats of leaking classified intelligence to reporters. It was not known if Trump explicitly told the Justice Department to investigate Schiff and Swalwell. But he repeatedly accused Schiff of leaks, tweeting some 350 times about the senior Democrat, who became chairman of the Intelligence Committee in 2019 and led Trump's first impeachment trial in January 2020 -- which ultimately saw the president acquitted by the Republican-led Senate. Under Justice Department order, Apple handed over the metadata records of calls and texts -- essentially the phone numbers of those in contact with the subjects of the probe -- though not the content of those communications. The surveillance remained secret because Apple was placed under a "gag order" that was renewed three times between 2017 and 2020, even though no charges were generated. Swalwell and Schiff only learned of the surveillance in May after the last gag order on Apple expired. 'Fishing expedition' Collecting a lawmaker's phone records is virtually unheard of, except in corruption investigations. And even then the Justice Department handles the cases gingerly. Surveilling members of Congress -- particularly rivals of the president's Republican party -- is an extreme case that would demand strong justification and top-level approval in the department. With some 100 people covered, it appeared to be a poorly justified "fishing expedition," Schiff said. The revelation came on the back of Justice Department admissions that under Trump it collected the phone records of a number of high-profile journalists in leak investigations. The surveillance came, Swalwell said, because the House Intelligence investigation turned up information "that the president didn't like. We showed that the president sought help from Russia, benefitted from help from Russia" in the 2016 election. "This is about everyday Americans who don't want the government to weaponize law enforcement against them because of their political beliefs," he said. Lawmakers urged Garland to clean house and remove and Trump allies who participated in the surveillance. Patrick Toomey the American Civil Liberties Union said weak laws enable abuses. "This is what happens when broad and secretive spying powers are left to the discretion of the executive branch," he said. "Our laws should prevent this from happening, not enable abuses of power that trample on people's rights and threaten our democracy.”

Trump surveillance of Democrats sparks abuse of power claims

US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran: Donald Trump

Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded on Sunday by tweeting an excerpt from an interview where he said Iran is still open to negotiations with America if sanctions are lifted. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-sanctions-to-negotiate-with-iran-donald-trump-276694">Read more</a>

Paris cancels Lunar New Year parade due to China's viral outbreak

On Friday, France's health ministry said three people who had recently travelled to China were confirmed to have contracted the virus - the first cases in Europe. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/paris-cancels-lunar-new-year-parade-due-to-chinas-viral-outbreak-276669">Read more</a>

Dozens pulled from rubble as Turkey quake toll hits 35

31 killed, 1,600 injured; earthquake followed by more than 700 aftershocks, as per data from Disaster and Emergency Authority of Turkey. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dozens-pulled-from-rubble-as-turkey-quake-toll-hits-35-276666">Read more</a>

Beijing to postpone reopening of city's kindergartens, schools, universities: Report

The measures are aimed at preventing the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, the report added quoting CNR. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijing-to-postpone-reopening-of-citys-kindergartens-schools-universities-report-276635">Read more</a>

Erdogan states that Haftar cannot be expected to respect Libya truce

Eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar is violating Libya's truce and so cannot be expected to respect the ceasefire called between his forces and pro-government troops, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-states-that-haftar-cannot-be-expected-to-respect-libya-truce-276633">Read more</a>

China warns that the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger

Virus with an infection rate of 2,000 people and a global kill count of 56 traced to a seafood market in Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-warns-that-the-ability-of-the-virus-to-spread-is-getting-stronger-276630">Read more</a>

Post-Brexit UK trade deal with US 'optimistic', says Treasury Secretary Mnuchin

"One of the challenges of dealing with the EU is that even within the EU they have different views," he added. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/post-brexit-uk-trade-deal-with-us-optimistic-mnuchin-276612">Read more</a>

Iraqi security forces raid protest camps after Sadr supporters withdraw

Clashes erupted later in the day as authorities removed concrete barriers near Baghdad's Tahrir Square, where demonstrators have camped out for months. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iraqi-security-forces-raid-protest-camps-after-sadr-supporters-withdraw-276610">Read more</a>

Trump caught saying 'get rid' of Ukraine ambassador on tape: Report

"Get rid of her!" Trump says on the tape, reportedly addressing a White House aide at the dining table. "Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it." <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-caught-saying-get-rid-of-ukraine-ambassador-on-tape-report-276592">Read more</a>

Federer roars into record 15th Australian Open quarter-final

The Swiss master took time to work out the Hungarian but when he did it was one-way traffic, romping to a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory on Rod Laver Arena. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/federer-roars-into-record-15th-australian-open-quarter-final-276690">Read more</a>

US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran: Donald Trump Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded on Sunday by tweeting an excerpt from an interview where he said Iran is still open to negotiations with America if sanctions are lifted.

US will not lift sanctions to negotiate with Iran: Donald Trump Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded on Sunday by tweeting an excerpt from an interview where he said Iran is still open to negotiations with America if sanctions are lifted. Read more Paris cancels Lunar New Year parade due to China's viral outbreak On Friday, France's health ministry said three people who had recently travelled to China were confirmed to have contracted the virus - the first cases in Europe. Read more Dozens pulled from rubble as Turkey quake toll hits 35 31 killed, 1,600 injured; earthquake followed by more than 700 aftershocks, as per data from Disaster and Emergency Authority of Turkey. Read more Beijing to postpone reopening of city's kindergartens, schools, universities: Report The measures are aimed at preventing the spread of the Wuhan coronavirus, the report added quoting CNR. Read more Erdogan states that Haftar cannot be expected to respect Libya truce Eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar is violating Libya's truce and so cannot be expected to respect the ceasefire called between his forces and pro-government troops, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday. Read more China warns that the ability of the virus to spread is getting stronger Virus with an infection rate of 2,000 people and a global kill count of 56 traced to a seafood market in Wuhan that was illegally selling wildlife. Read more Post-Brexit UK trade deal with US 'optimistic', says Treasury Secretary Mnuchin "One of the challenges of dealing with the EU is that even within the EU they have different views," he added. Read more Iraqi security forces raid protest camps after Sadr supporters withdraw Clashes erupted later in the day as authorities removed concrete barriers near Baghdad's Tahrir Square, where demonstrators have camped out for months. Read more Trump caught saying 'get rid' of Ukraine ambassador on tape: Report "Get rid of her!" Trump says on the tape, reportedly addressing a White House aide at the dining table. "Get her out tomorrow. I don't care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. OK? Do it." Read more Federer roars into record 15th Australian Open quarter-final The Swiss master took time to work out the Hungarian but when he did it was one-way traffic, romping to a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory on Rod Laver Arena. Read more

Top 10 world news today: Coronavirus outbreak in China, Federer enters Australian Open quarter-finals and more

Lead House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;manager <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/adam-schiff-to-lead-prosecution-in-us-senate-on-trump-impeachment-trial-pelosi-274484">Adam Schiff</a> called dramatically for the Senate to remove President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-sign-trade-accord-with-mexico-canada-next-week-276253">Donald Trump</a> from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own.

"The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first," said Schiff.

His impassioned words capped a long day in which Democrats detailed Trump's illicit scheme to pressure <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-accuse-trump-at-impeachment-trial-of-corrupt-scheme-to-pressure-ukraine-276105">Ukraine</a> to help his 2020 reelection campaign.&nbsp;

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-accuse-trump-at-impeachment-trial-of-corrupt-scheme-to-pressure-ukraine-276105"> Democrats accuse Trump at impeachment trial of corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine</a>

"You know, you can't trust this president to do what is right for this country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump," Schiff added.

"He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed."

"Because right matters. And truth matters. Otherwise, we are lost."

Also watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump's Impeachment: Democrats lay out abuse of power case

&nbsp;

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'It is illegal'

As the 100 senators sat as jurors and millions of Americans watched on television, House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;managers mustered scores of videos, internal documents and extensive witness testimony to lay out a strong case that the US leader abused his powers.

Schiff's prosecution team detailed how Trump flagrantly undertook last year to force <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bodies-of-ukrainian-victims-of-downed-plane-repatriated-from-iran-275279">Kiev </a>to help him tarnish his possible 2020 reelection rival, former vice president Joe Biden.

"President Trump used the powers of his office to solicit a foreign nation to interfere in our elections for his own personal benefit," House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler told the chamber.

"Since President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/george-washington-gold-coin-sells-for-17-million-159678">George Washington </a>took office in 1789, no president has abused his power in this way," Nadler said.

"The president has repeatedly, flagrantly, violated his oath... The president's conduct is wrong. It is illegal. And it is dangerous."

'Unfair and corrupt'

Over nine hours the Democrats methodically dismantled Republican claims that Trump did nothing wrong.&nbsp;

They left few doubts that Trump's sole motivation in secretly freezing aid to Ukraine last July was to force Ukraine President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volodymyr-zelensky-says-ukraine-getting-tired-of-trump-scandal-263215">Volodymyr Zelensky</a> to announce one investigation into Biden and a second into an unsupported story that Kiev helped Democrats in the 2016 election.

To puncture a key White House argument that the US constitution requires a specific crime to remove a president, they played old videos in which two of Trump's closest defenders, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and storied criminal defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, said that abuse of power itself is a clear impeachable offense.&nbsp;

And they detailed the extensive role of Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in the scheme to pressure Zelensky, even while US intelligence and diplomatic chiefs disagreed with it.

"Donald Trump chose Rudy Giuliani over his own intelligence agencies. He chose Rudy Giuliani over his own national security advisors... That makes him dangerous to our country," said Schiff, who leads the House Intelligence Committee.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-dream-team-meet-us-president-trumps-star-studded-legal-team-274978">&nbsp;Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team</a>

Uphill battle&nbsp;

Yet, three days into arguments into the historic trial, there were few signs that any of the Republican majority that Trump commands in the Senate would buy into the evidence and turn against him.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="51672510-212d-4906-8c46-95972b7ed0a6" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/2020-01-22T231541Z_1_LYNXMPEG0L2GF_RTROPTP_3_USA-TRUMP-IMPEACHMENT-POLL.JPG" />

"What we heard from the managers yesterday, the day before, it is the same thing, day after day after day," said Republican Senator John Barrasso.

"We're hearing the same things over and over," said Trump attorney Jay Sekulow. "We will be putting on vigorous defense of both facts and rebutting what they've said."

At the White House, Trump unleashed a barrage of tweets attacking the process as "loaded with lies and misrepresentations."

"Most unfair &amp; corrupt hearing in Congressional history!" he tweeted

Witness issue

Democratic prosecutors will complete their arguments Friday with a focus on the second&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;charge, obstruction of Congress, before Trump's legal team holds the floor in his defense for three days.

Democrats are hoping their arguments will at least persuade some Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, to support their call to issue subpoenas next week for four top current and former Trump aides to testify, and for internal White House records about the Ukraine affair.

But all indications were that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in coordination with the White House, will seek to stifle witness requests and bring the trial to a close with a vote to acquit Trump by the end of next week.

Both Trump and McConnell said early this week that the White House could claim executive privilege to refuse the subpoenas, forcing a court challenge that could prolong the case well into February.

Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff called dramatically for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own.

Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff called dramatically for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office Thursday, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own. "The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first," said Schiff. His impassioned words capped a long day in which Democrats detailed Trump's illicit scheme to pressure Ukraine to help his 2020 reelection campaign. Also read: Democrats accuse Trump at impeachment trial of corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine "You know, you can't trust this president to do what is right for this country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald Trump," Schiff added. "He'll do it now. He's done it before. He'll do it for the next several months. He'll do it in the election if he's allowed to. This is why, if you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed." "Because right matters. And truth matters. Otherwise, we are lost." Also watch: Donald Trump's Impeachment: Democrats lay out abuse of power case 'It is illegal' As the 100 senators sat as jurors and millions of Americans watched on television, House impeachment managers mustered scores of videos, internal documents and extensive witness testimony to lay out a strong case that the US leader abused his powers. Schiff's prosecution team detailed how Trump flagrantly undertook last year to force Kiev to help him tarnish his possible 2020 reelection rival, former vice president Joe Biden. "President Trump used the powers of his office to solicit a foreign nation to interfere in our elections for his own personal benefit," House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler told the chamber. "Since President George Washington took office in 1789, no president has abused his power in this way," Nadler said. "The president has repeatedly, flagrantly, violated his oath... The president's conduct is wrong. It is illegal. And it is dangerous." 'Unfair and corrupt' Over nine hours the Democrats methodically dismantled Republican claims that Trump did nothing wrong. They left few doubts that Trump's sole motivation in secretly freezing aid to Ukraine last July was to force Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce one investigation into Biden and a second into an unsupported story that Kiev helped Democrats in the 2016 election. To puncture a key White House argument that the US constitution requires a specific crime to remove a president, they played old videos in which two of Trump's closest defenders, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham and storied criminal defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, said that abuse of power itself is a clear impeachable offense. And they detailed the extensive role of Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani in the scheme to pressure Zelensky, even while US intelligence and diplomatic chiefs disagreed with it. "Donald Trump chose Rudy Giuliani over his own intelligence agencies. He chose Rudy Giuliani over his own national security advisors... That makes him dangerous to our country," said Schiff, who leads the House Intelligence Committee. Also read: Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team Uphill battle Yet, three days into arguments into the historic trial, there were few signs that any of the Republican majority that Trump commands in the Senate would buy into the evidence and turn against him. "What we heard from the managers yesterday, the day before, it is the same thing, day after day after day," said Republican Senator John Barrasso. "We're hearing the same things over and over," said Trump attorney Jay Sekulow. "We will be putting on vigorous defense of both facts and rebutting what they've said." At the White House, Trump unleashed a barrage of tweets attacking the process as "loaded with lies and misrepresentations." "Most unfair & corrupt hearing in Congressional history!" he tweeted Witness issue Democratic prosecutors will complete their arguments Friday with a focus on the second impeachment charge, obstruction of Congress, before Trump's legal team holds the floor in his defense for three days. Democrats are hoping their arguments will at least persuade some Republicans, who hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, to support their call to issue subpoenas next week for four top current and former Trump aides to testify, and for internal White House records about the Ukraine affair. But all indications were that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, in coordination with the White House, will seek to stifle witness requests and bring the trial to a close with a vote to acquit Trump by the end of next week. Both Trump and McConnell said early this week that the White House could claim executive privilege to refuse the subpoenas, forcing a court challenge that could prolong the case well into February.

Donald Trump 'should be removed': Adam Schiff

UN officials have been instructed not to use Whatsapp, the app owned by Facebook. “The senior officials at the UN have been instructed not to use WhatsApp, it’s not supported as a secure mechanism,” was the justification given by UN spokesman Farhan Haq. The&nbsp;statement comes amid accusations levelled by Jeff Bezos on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as the latter allegedly used a Whatsapp message to hack the Amazon CEO's iPhone.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, in China, the&nbsp;fatal coronavirus death toll&nbsp;rose to 26 on Friday, with the Chinese government locking down millions in their cities in an attempt to control the spread of the deadly SARS-like virus.

Here are the top-10 world news of the day:

Coronavirus: 26 dead and millions on lockdown; China to build new hospital within 10 days

China is hurrying to assemble another emergency clinic in just 10 days to treat patients at the focal point of a fatal virus outbreak that has stricken several individuals, state media announced Friday. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-26-dead-and-millions-on-lockdown-china-to-build-new-hospital-within-10-days-276334">Read More.</a>

Donald Trump 'should be removed': Adam Schiff

Lead House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;manager&nbsp;Adam Schiff&nbsp;called dramatically for the Senate to remove President&nbsp;Donald Trump&nbsp;from office, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own. "The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first," said Schiff.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-should-be-removed-impeachment-trial-276268">Read More</a>

UN instructs officials not to use WhatsApp; not supported as a secure mechanism, says spokesman

A UN spokesman has informed that UN officials not to&nbsp;use Facebook-owned Whatsapp to communicate.&nbsp;UN spokesman Farhan Haq said: “The senior officials at the UN have been instructed not to use WhatsApp, it’s not supported as a secure mechanism.” <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-instructs-officials-not-to-use-whatsapp-not-supported-as-a-secure-mechanism-says-spokesman-276367">Read More.</a>

Angry Saudis tweet to boycott Amazon over Crown Prince's alleged involvement in hacking Bezos' phone

Twitter is being flooded by pro-Saudi posts in defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has been accused of&nbsp;hacking Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos' iPhone.&nbsp;Riyadh dismissed the accusations on Tuesday and called them&nbsp;absurd. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/angry-saudis-tweet-to-boycott-amazon-over-crown-princes-alleged-involvement-in-hacking-bezos-phone-276374">Read More.</a>

Musharraf seeks mercy from Pakistan President Alvi over death penalty

Former&nbsp;Pakistan&nbsp;President and ex-army general Pervez Musharaff has forwarded a mercy plea to&nbsp;President&nbsp;Dr Arif Alvi. In the&nbsp;petition sent by Musharaff to the President of Pakistan, he argued that he was unlawfully given the death penalty without being given an opportunity to contest the verdict.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/musharraf-pleas-pakistans-president-for-mercy-276378">Read More.</a>

Thousands join anti-US rally in Baghdad, rattling rival protesters

Thousands of supporters of volatile Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr gathered in&nbsp;Baghdad&nbsp;on Friday for a "million-strong" march to demand the ouster of US troops, putting the protest-hit capital on edge. "Get out, get out, occupier!" some shouted, while others chanted, "Yes to sovereignty!"&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-join-anti-us-rally-in-baghdad-rattling-rival-protesters-276332">Read More.</a>

Trump administration rolls back law preventing pollution in drinking water sources

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised a move that removes millions of miles of streams and around 50 per cent of America’s wetlands from federal oversight, which will potentially give a free hand to pesticides and other pollutants be dumped without penalty. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-rolls-back-law-preventing-pollution-in-drinking-water-sources-276317">Read More.</a>

Malaysian rights group sues Singapore minister over false news law

Singapore's interior minister was sued Friday by a&nbsp;Malaysian&nbsp;human rights group in a bid to prevent the city-state from enforcing its law against false information in Malaysia. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysian-rights-group-sues-singapore-minister-over-false-news-law-276299">Read More.</a>

Philippines President Duterte threatens to end US military pact

Philippine President&nbsp;Rodrigo Duterte&nbsp;has threatened to end a pact key to annual war games with American troops if the US does not restore the travel visa of an official who oversaw his drug war. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/philippines-duterte-threatens-to-end-us-military-pact-276289">Read More.</a>

Locust plague devastates crops in Horn of Africa

Swarms of desert locusts are wreaking havoc across the Horn of Africa, having&nbsp;damaged tens of thousands of hectares&nbsp;so far, according to reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/locust-plague-devastates-crops-in-horn-of-africa-276267">Read More.</a>

UN officials have been instructed not to use Whatsapp, the app owned by Facebook. “The senior officials at the UN have been instructed not to use WhatsApp, it’s not supported as a secure mechanism,” was the justification given by UN spokesman Farhan Haq.

UN officials have been instructed not to use Whatsapp, the app owned by Facebook. “The senior officials at the UN have been instructed not to use WhatsApp, it’s not supported as a secure mechanism,” was the justification given by UN spokesman Farhan Haq. The statement comes amid accusations levelled by Jeff Bezos on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as the latter allegedly used a Whatsapp message to hack the Amazon CEO's iPhone. Meanwhile, in China, the fatal coronavirus death toll rose to 26 on Friday, with the Chinese government locking down millions in their cities in an attempt to control the spread of the deadly SARS-like virus. Here are the top-10 world news of the day: Coronavirus: 26 dead and millions on lockdown; China to build new hospital within 10 days China is hurrying to assemble another emergency clinic in just 10 days to treat patients at the focal point of a fatal virus outbreak that has stricken several individuals, state media announced Friday. Read More. Donald Trump 'should be removed': Adam Schiff Lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff called dramatically for the Senate to remove President Donald Trump from office, saying the US leader cannot be trusted to put the country's interests ahead of his own. "The American people deserve a president they can count on, to put their interest first," said Schiff.Read More UN instructs officials not to use WhatsApp; not supported as a secure mechanism, says spokesman A UN spokesman has informed that UN officials not to use Facebook-owned Whatsapp to communicate. UN spokesman Farhan Haq said: “The senior officials at the UN have been instructed not to use WhatsApp, it’s not supported as a secure mechanism.” Read More. Angry Saudis tweet to boycott Amazon over Crown Prince's alleged involvement in hacking Bezos' phone Twitter is being flooded by pro-Saudi posts in defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has been accused of hacking Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos' iPhone. Riyadh dismissed the accusations on Tuesday and called them absurd. Read More. Musharraf seeks mercy from Pakistan President Alvi over death penalty Former Pakistan President and ex-army general Pervez Musharaff has forwarded a mercy plea to President Dr Arif Alvi. In the petition sent by Musharaff to the President of Pakistan, he argued that he was unlawfully given the death penalty without being given an opportunity to contest the verdict. Read More. Thousands join anti-US rally in Baghdad, rattling rival protesters Thousands of supporters of volatile Iraqi cleric Moqtada Sadr gathered in Baghdad on Friday for a "million-strong" march to demand the ouster of US troops, putting the protest-hit capital on edge. "Get out, get out, occupier!" some shouted, while others chanted, "Yes to sovereignty!" Read More. Trump administration rolls back law preventing pollution in drinking water sources The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised a move that removes millions of miles of streams and around 50 per cent of America’s wetlands from federal oversight, which will potentially give a free hand to pesticides and other pollutants be dumped without penalty. Read More. Malaysian rights group sues Singapore minister over false news law Singapore's interior minister was sued Friday by a Malaysian human rights group in a bid to prevent the city-state from enforcing its law against false information in Malaysia. Read More. Philippines President Duterte threatens to end US military pact Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to end a pact key to annual war games with American troops if the US does not restore the travel visa of an official who oversaw his drug war. Read More. Locust plague devastates crops in Horn of Africa Swarms of desert locusts are wreaking havoc across the Horn of Africa, having damaged tens of thousands of hectares so far, according to reports from the Food and Agriculture Organization. Read More.

Top 10 world news today: Coronavirus death toll rises in China, UN on WhatsApp and more

Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bernie-sanders-said-no-woman-could-beat-donald-trump-in-2020-elizabeth-warren-274125">Donald Trump</a>, a cybersecurity firm said Monday.

Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-linked-hackers-stole-sensitive-information-microsoft-271217">phishing</a>" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report.

"The timing of the GRU's campaign in relation to the 2020 US elections raises the spectre that this is an early warning of what we have anticipated since the successful cyberattacks undertaken during the 2016 US elections," Area 1 co-founders Oren J. Falkowitz and Blake Darche said in the eight-page document.

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Here's a link to the <a href="https://twitter.com/Area1Security?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Area1Security</a> report on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/phishing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#phishing</a> of Burisma Holdings by the GRU <a href="https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs">https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs</a> <a href="https://t.co/XEmXumrww8">pic.twitter.com/XEmXumrww8</a>
— Oren J. Falkowitz (@orenfalkowitz) <a href="https://twitter.com/orenfalkowitz/status/1216874240848228352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Trump was impeached in December over allegations that he improperly pressured Ukraine to announce an investigation into Burisma and its links to former board member Hunter Biden, the son of the president's election rival Joe Biden.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-government-linked-hackers-targeting-anti-doping-authorities-sports-organizations-microsoft-258571">GRU</a> figured heavily in the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, which concluded that Russia hacked the Democratic Party and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/shameful-for-uk-not-to-publish-russia-meddling-probe-clinton-261520">Hillary Clinton's</a> campaign to help Trump.

The president triggered wide alarm in Washington in July 2018 after he met President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-and-russias-putin-discuss-regional-global-issues-in-telephonic-conversation-274090">Vladimir Putin</a> in Helsinki and appeared to take at face value Putin's denials of Russian meddling.

In a July 2019 phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-demands-punishment-compensation-for-airliner-downed-by-iran-273583">Volodymyr Zelensky</a>, Trump pushed for Kiev to investigate a debunked Kremlin conspiracy theory that Biden, one of the Democrats most likely to challenge Trump for the White House in November, had tried to quash a graft probe of Burisma to protect his son.&nbsp;

The GRU, a military intelligence unit, got into the servers of Burisma Holdings, Area 1 said, although it is not clear what they found or what they were looking for.

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The Russians appear to be at it again. According to a new report, they’re hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. 
 
And again, it appears aimed to help Trump. 
 
We must reject foreign meddling. 
 
Americans should decide American elections. <a href="https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz">https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz</a>
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepAdamSchiff/status/1216921237009633281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"The Russians appear to be at it again," tweeted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-prepared-to-testify-in-trump-impeachment-trial-john-bolton-272608">Adam Schiff</a>, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who led Trump's impeachment investigation for the Democrats.

"According to a new report, they're hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump."

The report was released with Trump expected to stand trial in the Senate as early as this week on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "phishing" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report.

Russian spies hacked a Ukrainian energy company at the centre of the impeachment trial of US President Donald Trump, a cybersecurity firm said Monday. Russia's GRU spy agency launched a "phishing" attack in November to access the email of Burisma Holdings employees, California cyber firm Area 1 Security said in a report. "The timing of the GRU's campaign in relation to the 2020 US elections raises the spectre that this is an early warning of what we have anticipated since the successful cyberattacks undertaken during the 2016 US elections," Area 1 co-founders Oren J. Falkowitz and Blake Darche said in the eight-page document. Here's a link to the @Area1Security report on #phishing of Burisma Holdings by the GRU https://t.co/oTEvMwmsjs pic.twitter.com/XEmXumrww8 — Oren J. Falkowitz (@orenfalkowitz) January 14, 2020 × Trump was impeached in December over allegations that he improperly pressured Ukraine to announce an investigation into Burisma and its links to former board member Hunter Biden, the son of the president's election rival Joe Biden. The GRU figured heavily in the Mueller report on Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, which concluded that Russia hacked the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton's campaign to help Trump. The president triggered wide alarm in Washington in July 2018 after he met President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki and appeared to take at face value Putin's denials of Russian meddling. In a July 2019 phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump pushed for Kiev to investigate a debunked Kremlin conspiracy theory that Biden, one of the Democrats most likely to challenge Trump for the White House in November, had tried to quash a graft probe of Burisma to protect his son. The GRU, a military intelligence unit, got into the servers of Burisma Holdings, Area 1 said, although it is not clear what they found or what they were looking for. The Russians appear to be at it again. According to a new report, they’re hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump. We must reject foreign meddling. Americans should decide American elections. https://t.co/ipFsqq5yJz — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) January 14, 2020 × "The Russians appear to be at it again," tweeted Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who led Trump's impeachment investigation for the Democrats. "According to a new report, they're hacking information that could be a prelude to more election interference in 2020. And again, it appears aimed to help Trump." The report was released with Trump expected to stand trial in the Senate as early as this week on two articles of impeachment, abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Russian spies hacked Ukrainian energy firm at center of Trump impeachment

The head of the US&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;Judiciary Committee&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-looms-as-us-house-committee-approves-charges-268218">Lindsey Graham</a>&nbsp;said on Sunday he wants the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;to launch an&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial&nbsp;of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">Donald&nbsp;Trump</a>&nbsp;within days and wrap it up this month, even if it means changing&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;rules.

The Democratic-controlled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-gives-lawmakers-formal-notice-of-iraq-strike-amid-complaints-from-democrats-272196">House of Representatives</a> last month voted to impeach&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;for abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival and for obstructing the House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;probe.

House Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">Nancy Pelosi</a>, however, has not yet sent the articles of&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;to the&nbsp;Republican-led&nbsp;Senate, where the president would be tried, as Democrats have sought to pressure&nbsp;Republicans to call witnesses.

Speaking on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures,"&nbsp;Republican&nbsp;Senator Lindsey Graham said he wants to&nbsp;change&nbsp;the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;rules to&nbsp;kick&nbsp;start&nbsp;a&nbsp;trial&nbsp;if Pelosi does not send the articles of&nbsp;impeachment.

Senate&nbsp;Majority Leader <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/treasurys-mnuchin-to-head-us-delegation-to-davos-conclave-271625">Mitch McConnell</a>, a&nbsp;Republican, said on Friday the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;cannot proceed with a&nbsp;trial&nbsp;under its&nbsp;rules until it receives them.

McConnell has argued that any decision on potential witnesses should come after senators have heard opening arguments and have had a chance to ask questions.

"My goal is to&nbsp;start&nbsp;this&nbsp;trial&nbsp;in the next coming days," Graham said. "If we don't get the articles this week, then we need to take matters in our own hands and&nbsp;change&nbsp;the&nbsp;rules."

"This thing needs to be over with in January," he said, arguing that a delay denies&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;an opportunity to confront the accusations and impedes Congress' ability to pursue other business.

McConnell's office on Sunday did not comment on Graham's call for a possible&nbsp;rule&nbsp;change.

An aide to Pelosi referred to a statement she issued on Friday in which she accused McConnell of being complicit in&nbsp;Trump's "cover-up of his abuses of power."

US&nbsp;Representative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-democrats-make-case-for-republicans-to-endorse-trump-impeachment-268418">Adam Schiff</a>, the Democratic Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee that led the House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;proceedings said on CNN: "Both Democrats and&nbsp;Republicans are now having to go on the record and say, do we want witnesses? Do we want to see the documents? Do we want the American people to hear the evidence? Do we want a real&nbsp;trial? Or do we want a cover-up? It's clear, I think, from the president and Mitch McConnell they don't want a&nbsp;trial&nbsp;anymore."

With no agreement in sight on how to proceed, senators on Monday are expected to resume consideration of a nominee to head the Small Business Administration as they return to town for business after a holiday break.

Trump&nbsp;is accused of abusing his power by asking Ukraine to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-may-consider-obama-as-supreme-court-judge-if-he-becomes-president-271019">Joe Biden</a>, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;in the November presidential election.

He was also accused of obstructing Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the House&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facing-blowback-biden-clarifies-stance-on-impeachment-trial-testimony-270786">impeachment&nbsp;inquiry</a>.

Trump&nbsp;says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win.

With&nbsp;Trump's fellow&nbsp;Republicans controlling the&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;with a 53-47 majority, he is unlikely to be convicted and removed from office, which would require a two-thirds majority vote.

Democrats, however, hope they could peel off a few&nbsp;Republicans to push through a resolution for witnesses, which would only require a simple majority.

Allowing witness testimony could bring up new evidence damaging to&nbsp;Trump.

"We need the truth,"&nbsp;Senate&nbsp;Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Twitter. "Not a cover-up. Not a nationally televised mock&nbsp;trial&nbsp;with no evidence."

The head of the US Senate Judiciary Committee Lindsey Graham said on Sunday he wants the Senate to launch an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump within days and wrap it up this month, even if it means changing Senate rules.

The head of the US Senate Judiciary Committee Lindsey Graham said on Sunday he wants the Senate to launch an impeachment trial of President Donald Trump within days and wrap it up this month, even if it means changing Senate rules. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives last month voted to impeach Trump for abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival and for obstructing the House impeachment probe. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, however, has not yet sent the articles of impeachment to the Republican-led Senate, where the president would be tried, as Democrats have sought to pressure Republicans to call witnesses. Speaking on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he wants to change the Senate rules to kick start a trial if Pelosi does not send the articles of impeachment. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said on Friday the Senate cannot proceed with a trial under its rules until it receives them. McConnell has argued that any decision on potential witnesses should come after senators have heard opening arguments and have had a chance to ask questions. "My goal is to start this trial in the next coming days," Graham said. "If we don't get the articles this week, then we need to take matters in our own hands and change the rules." "This thing needs to be over with in January," he said, arguing that a delay denies Trump an opportunity to confront the accusations and impedes Congress' ability to pursue other business. McConnell's office on Sunday did not comment on Graham's call for a possible rule change. An aide to Pelosi referred to a statement she issued on Friday in which she accused McConnell of being complicit in Trump's "cover-up of his abuses of power." US Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee that led the House impeachment proceedings said on CNN: "Both Democrats and Republicans are now having to go on the record and say, do we want witnesses? Do we want to see the documents? Do we want the American people to hear the evidence? Do we want a real trial? Or do we want a cover-up? It's clear, I think, from the president and Mitch McConnell they don't want a trial anymore." With no agreement in sight on how to proceed, senators on Monday are expected to resume consideration of a nominee to head the Small Business Administration as they return to town for business after a holiday break. Trump is accused of abusing his power by asking Ukraine to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November presidential election. He was also accused of obstructing Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the House impeachment inquiry. Trump says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win. With Trump's fellow Republicans controlling the Senate with a 53-47 majority, he is unlikely to be convicted and removed from office, which would require a two-thirds majority vote. Democrats, however, hope they could peel off a few Republicans to push through a resolution for witnesses, which would only require a simple majority. Allowing witness testimony could bring up new evidence damaging to Trump. "We need the truth," Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Twitter. "Not a cover-up. Not a nationally televised mock trial with no evidence."

Senator Lindsey Graham wishes to kick start trump impeachment trial even if it means changing Senate rules

A US&nbsp;House Intelligence Committee report laying out the Democratic case for President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-according-to-call-records-nunes-had-frequent-contact-with-giuliani-266054">Donald Trump's impeachment</a> will be publicly released on Tuesday, the panel's chairman said in a television interview.

"We’re putting the finishing touches on the report, which will be released tomorrow,” Democrat Adam Schiff said on MSNBC on Monday night.

The Democratic-controlled panel is expected to vote on the report's approval on Tuesday night.

A copy of the report was made available privately to House Intelligence members on Monday night for a 24-hour review period.

Republican Representative Jim Jordan, an ardent defender of Trump, told reporters he had read portions of the report in a secure room at the Capitol but was instructed not to discuss the contents until Tuesday night.

House Republicans issued their own rebuttal report on Monday, saying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrat-report-makes-forceful-impeachment-case-against-trump-266049">Democrats</a> had not established an impeachable offense by Trump.

Democrats have been looking into the Republican president's efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, the former US&nbsp;vice president who is seeking the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election, and his son Hunter Biden, who was a board member of a Ukrainian energy company.

Congressional Democrats on Monday named the four witnesses who will testify this week at a public hearing in the impeachment inquiry of Trump, in what is seen as a likely precursor to the announcement of formal charges within weeks.

As opinion polls show Americans are bitterly divided over whether to impeach Trump, the Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives will feature four legal scholars discussing the constitutional grounds for removing a US&nbsp;president from office.

The impeachment inquiry has heard testimony from current and former officials that military aid was withheld from Ukraine and that a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was conditioned on investigations into the Bidens and a debunked conspiracy theory about Ukraine interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;election.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and says a July 25 phone call with Zelenskiy, in which he pressed for the probes, was "perfect." He and fellow Republicans say Democrats are seeking to overturn the results of the 2016 presidential election.

Wednesday's hearing, while academic in nature, will set the stage for the Judiciary Committee to begin determining whether Trump should face formal articles of impeachment. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to supporters last week that Trump had committed "bribery" and needed to be held accountable.

The hearing witnesses, announced by the committee on Monday, are Noah Feldman of Harvard Law School, Pamela Karlan of Stanford Law School, Michael Gerhardt of the University of North Carolina School of Law and Jonathan Turley of the George Washington University Law School.

Also watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump impeachment hearings set for Dec 4

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In a defiant response on Sunday night, the White House informed Democrats that Trump and his lawyers would not participate in Wednesday's hearing, citing a lack of "fundamental fairness."

Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House on Monday en route to London for a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cool-it-france-and-germany-to-tell-trump-at-nato-talks-266086">NATO summit</a>, Trump said he had declined to participate in the hearing because it was a hoax.

Representative Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, called the White House's decision "unfortunate" and said that allowing Trump to participate had been a priority from the outset of the impeachment probe.

White House counsel Pat Cipollone has not ruled out taking part in future proceedings if Democrats address a list of procedural complaints.

The committee, which is not expected to consider evidence against Trump until next week, has given the president until 5 p.m. (2200 GMT) on Friday to say whether he plans to mount a defense by calling witnesses and introducing evidence.

The 110-page House Republican report said the witnesses called during the impeachment inquiry had painted a picture of "unelected bureaucrats" who "fundamentally disagreed with President Trump's style, world view and decisions," and had presented no evidence that amounted to an impeachable offense.

Schiff said the Republican report "ignores voluminous evidence that the president used the power of his office to pressure Ukraine into investigating his political rival," which Schiff said was outside the law and "a violation of his oath of office."

If the House approves articles of impeachment, the Republican-controlled Senate would hold a trial to see if Trump should be removed from office. That move is unlikely, as few Senate Republicans have shown an appetite for removing the president.

But the impeachment inquiry has cast a shadow over Trump's already tumultuous presidency and sharpened a divide among Americans that is likely to intensify as election campaigning heats up in the coming weeks.

Democratic aides said a vote on possible articles of impeachment would follow quickly on the heels of an evidentiary hearing.

A US House Intelligence Committee report laying out the Democratic case for President Donald Trump's impeachment will be publicly released on Tuesday, the panel's chairman said in a television interview.

A US House Intelligence Committee report laying out the Democratic case for President Donald Trump's impeachment will be publicly released on Tuesday, the panel's chairman said in a television interview. "We’re putting the finishing touches on the report, which will be released tomorrow,” Democrat Adam Schiff said on MSNBC on Monday night. The Democratic-controlled panel is expected to vote on the report's approval on Tuesday night. A copy of the report was made available privately to House Intelligence members on Monday night for a 24-hour review period. Republican Representative Jim Jordan, an ardent defender of Trump, told reporters he had read portions of the report in a secure room at the Capitol but was instructed not to discuss the contents until Tuesday night. House Republicans issued their own rebuttal report on Monday, saying Democrats had not established an impeachable offense by Trump. Democrats have been looking into the Republican president's efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, the former US vice president who is seeking the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election, and his son Hunter Biden, who was a board member of a Ukrainian energy company. Congressional Democrats on Monday named the four witnesses who will testify this week at a public hearing in the impeachment inquiry of Trump, in what is seen as a likely precursor to the announcement of formal charges within weeks. As opinion polls show Americans are bitterly divided over whether to impeach Trump, the Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives will feature four legal scholars discussing the constitutional grounds for removing a US president from office. The impeachment inquiry has heard testimony from current and former officials that military aid was withheld from Ukraine and that a White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was conditioned on investigations into the Bidens and a debunked conspiracy theory about Ukraine interference in the 2016 US election. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and says a July 25 phone call with Zelenskiy, in which he pressed for the probes, was "perfect." He and fellow Republicans say Democrats are seeking to overturn the results of the 2016 presidential election. Wednesday's hearing, while academic in nature, will set the stage for the Judiciary Committee to begin determining whether Trump should face formal articles of impeachment. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter to supporters last week that Trump had committed "bribery" and needed to be held accountable. The hearing witnesses, announced by the committee on Monday, are Noah Feldman of Harvard Law School, Pamela Karlan of Stanford Law School, Michael Gerhardt of the University of North Carolina School of Law and Jonathan Turley of the George Washington University Law School. Also watch: Donald Trump impeachment hearings set for Dec 4 × In a defiant response on Sunday night, the White House informed Democrats that Trump and his lawyers would not participate in Wednesday's hearing, citing a lack of "fundamental fairness." Speaking to reporters as he departed the White House on Monday en route to London for a NATO summit, Trump said he had declined to participate in the hearing because it was a hoax. Representative Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, called the White House's decision "unfortunate" and said that allowing Trump to participate had been a priority from the outset of the impeachment probe. White House counsel Pat Cipollone has not ruled out taking part in future proceedings if Democrats address a list of procedural complaints. The committee, which is not expected to consider evidence against Trump until next week, has given the president until 5 p.m. (2200 GMT) on Friday to say whether he plans to mount a defense by calling witnesses and introducing evidence. The 110-page House Republican report said the witnesses called during the impeachment inquiry had painted a picture of "unelected bureaucrats" who "fundamentally disagreed with President Trump's style, world view and decisions," and had presented no evidence that amounted to an impeachable offense. Schiff said the Republican report "ignores voluminous evidence that the president used the power of his office to pressure Ukraine into investigating his political rival," which Schiff said was outside the law and "a violation of his oath of office." If the House approves articles of impeachment, the Republican-controlled Senate would hold a trial to see if Trump should be removed from office. That move is unlikely, as few Senate Republicans have shown an appetite for removing the president. But the impeachment inquiry has cast a shadow over Trump's already tumultuous presidency and sharpened a divide among Americans that is likely to intensify as election campaigning heats up in the coming weeks. Democratic aides said a vote on possible articles of impeachment would follow quickly on the heels of an evidentiary hearing.

US House panel impeachment report to be released Tuesday: Adam Schiff

Trump impeachment inquiry: What happens next?

Democratic US lawmakers have begun the next step in the impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump - writing a report on their findings - but still could take more testimony and hold additional hearings, the chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said on Sunday.

Democratic US lawmakers have begun the next step in the impeachment enquiry into President Donald Trump - writing a report on their findings - but still could take more testimony and hold additional hearings, the chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said on Sunday. Representative Adam Schiff, whose committee is leading the inquiry that threatens Trump's presidency, said the panel has started work on the report after two weeks of public hearings with testimony from current and former US officials. The panel has held five public hearings and has no more scheduled. The report is an important step toward a possible vote in the Democratic-led House on articles of impeachment - formal charges - against the Republican president. If those are approved, the Senate, controlled by Republicans, would then hold a trial on whether to convict Trump and remove him from office. Republicans have shown little inclination toward removing Trump, who is seeking re-election in 2020. The inquiry centres on a July 25 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate political rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden as well as a discredited conspiracy theory promoted by Trump that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. Hunter Biden had worked for Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. "We don't foreclose the possibility of more depositions, more hearings. We are in the process of getting more documents all the time. So that investigative work is being done," Schiff said on CNN's "State of the Union." "What we're not prepared to do is wait months and months while the administration plays a game of 'rope a dope' in an effort to try to stall. We're not willing to go down that road." Schiff said. Democrats have accused Trump of abusing his power by pressuring a vulnerable US ally to interfere in an American election by digging up dirt on his domestic political opponents. Biden is a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election. With the first party nominating contests set for February, "there's an urgency to make sure the election and the ballot box have integrity," Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, an Intelligence Committee member, told the "Fox News Sunday" program. Trump's administration has refused to provide documents requested by House Democrats and blocked witnesses from testifying, including Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. The president's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, also has refused to cooperate. Bolton and other officials have sought court rulings on whether they should comply with a congressional subpoena or honour the Trump administration's order not to testify, a process that could take months. Republicans defend Trump Trump has said he did nothing wrong and dismisses the inquiry as politically motivated. Many Republicans in Congress have rallied to his defence and assailed the Democrats leading the inquiry. There were "no impeachable offences" and no direct evidence against the president, Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican Intelligence Committee member, told the Fox News program "Sunday Morning Futures." Schiff said the committee is learning more every day but the evidence already collected is so "overwhelming and uncontested" that Democratic lawmakers decided to begin writing a report on the findings for transmission to the House Judiciary Committee, which would draft any articles of impeachment. "Even as we compile this report, even as we submit evidence to the Judiciary Committee, we're going to continue our investigation," Schiff said on NBC's "Meet the Press" program. The Judiciary Committee could conduct more proceedings if needed, including hearings, that allow Trump and his counsel to participate. The panel would draft any articles of impeachment against Trump before they would go to the full House for a vote. Democrats also are looking into whether Trump's decision to withhold $391 million in security aid to Ukraine was intended to pressure Kiev into conducting the two investigations that could benefit Trump politically. The money - approved by the US Congress to help Ukraine combat Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country - was later provided to Kiev in September after the controversy had spilt into public view. Schiff said his committee has been in touch with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of getting witness testimony from Lev Parnas, an indicted Ukrainian-American businessman who has ties to Giuliani. Parnas, who has already been subpoenaed for documents, had worked with Giuliani at a time when Trump's lawyer was pushing for Ukraine to conduct the two investigations. A lawyer for Parnas has said he would comply with the document request and is willing to appear before the House panel.

Senior Democrat says next step underway in Trump impeachment probe

Chronology of events in the Trump phone call scandal

Democrats are reluctant to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-concerned-about-being-impeached-report-183111"> impeach US President Donald Trump</a>, but he may provoke such a move by continuing to obstruct Congress' efforts to oversee his administration, a senior Democratic lawmaker said on Sunday.

Adam Schiff, chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, told ABC's "This Week" that impeachment by the Democratic-run House would be politically divisive and unlikely to succeed in the Republican-run Senate.

"But he (Trump) may get us there," Schiff said. "He certainly seems to be trying and maybe this is his perverse way of dividing us more ... he thinks that's to his political advantage, but it's certainly not to the country's advantage."

Trump's stonewalling of congressional probes of his administration does add weight to impeachment, Schiff told ABC. "But you know, part of our reluctance is we are already a bitterly divided country and an impeachment process will divide us further."

Democrats have confronted the Republican president and his administration for refusing to cooperate with at least six separate congressional investigations of Trump, his turbulent presidency, his family and his business interests.

A Democratic-led House committee on Wednesday approved a measure to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt for refusing to hand over an unredacted copy of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-democrats-leave-open-option-of-trump-impeachment-after-mueller-report-212483">Mueller report on Russian election interference</a> even as Trump invoked the legal principle of executive privilege to block its disclosure.

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Democrats are divided over how far to take their investigations with some calling for impeachment proceedings and others backing continued investigations.

Republicans have accused Democrats of grandstanding for liberal voters. Some of Trump's allies believe any impeachment effort could prove unpopular and him as he seeks re-election in 2020.

But even the Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr.

Schiff reiterated his suggestion Sunday that Congress could levy fines of $25,000 a day on administration officials who refuse to cooperate with demands for witness appearances and documents in congressional investigations.

"Look, I think if you fine someone $25,000 a day to their person until they comply, it gets their attention. ...I don't know how many are going to want to take that risk for Donald Trump," Schiff said.

Democrats are reluctant to impeach US President Donald Trump, but he may provoke such a move by continuing to obstruct Congress' efforts to oversee his administration, a senior Democratic lawmaker said on Sunday.

Democrats are reluctant to impeach US President Donald Trump, but he may provoke such a move by continuing to obstruct Congress' efforts to oversee his administration, a senior Democratic lawmaker said on Sunday. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, told ABC's "This Week" that impeachment by the Democratic-run House would be politically divisive and unlikely to succeed in the Republican-run Senate. "But he (Trump) may get us there," Schiff said. "He certainly seems to be trying and maybe this is his perverse way of dividing us more ... he thinks that's to his political advantage, but it's certainly not to the country's advantage." Trump's stonewalling of congressional probes of his administration does add weight to impeachment, Schiff told ABC. "But you know, part of our reluctance is we are already a bitterly divided country and an impeachment process will divide us further." Democrats have confronted the Republican president and his administration for refusing to cooperate with at least six separate congressional investigations of Trump, his turbulent presidency, his family and his business interests. A Democratic-led House committee on Wednesday approved a measure to hold Attorney General William Barr in contempt for refusing to hand over an unredacted copy of the Mueller report on Russian election interference even as Trump invoked the legal principle of executive privilege to block its disclosure. × Democrats are divided over how far to take their investigations with some calling for impeachment proceedings and others backing continued investigations. Republicans have accused Democrats of grandstanding for liberal voters. Some of Trump's allies believe any impeachment effort could prove unpopular and him as he seeks re-election in 2020. But even the Republican-controlled Senate Intelligence Committee has subpoenaed the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr. Schiff reiterated his suggestion Sunday that Congress could levy fines of $25,000 a day on administration officials who refuse to cooperate with demands for witness appearances and documents in congressional investigations. "Look, I think if you fine someone $25,000 a day to their person until they comply, it gets their attention. ...I don't know how many are going to want to take that risk for Donald Trump," Schiff said.

Donald Trump may provoke US lawmakers to impeach him by obstructing investigations: Adam Schiff

President Donald Trump's ex-attorney will return to Congress next week for more testimony, US lawmakers said Thursday, after three days of marathon appearances during which Michael Cohen accused his longtime boss of being a conman engaged in illegal activity.

House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff also revealed that Felix Sater, a Russian-born real estate developer who claims strong connections to the Kremlin, and who reportedly pitched the Moscow Trump Tower project to Trump's team, will testify before the committee on March 14.

The public hearing is believed to be the first scheduled appearance before Congress for Sater, who once had an office in Trump Tower and is seen as a mysterious figure who could shed light on dealings between the Trump organization, his campaign and Russia.

Cohen meanwhile will return on March 6 for additional closed-door testimony to the Intelligence Committee, Schiff said.

"It was a very productive interview today, where he was able to shed light on a lot of issues that are very core to our investigation, and we were able to drill down in great detail," Schiff said, adding that he intended to publicly release transcripts of Cohen's testimony "at the appropriate point."

News of the upcoming hearings came after Cohen's gruelling three days on Capitol Hill, including his explosive nationally televised testimony on Wednesday, during which he called Trump an inveterate liar, "racist," and "cheat."

Cohen -- who is to report to prison on May 6 to begin serving a three-year sentence for fraud, tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions and lying to Congress -- expressed regret for his years of devoted service to Trump.

The onetime lawyer, who has been disbarred, said Trump directed him to lie about hush payments made to a porn actress to silence her claims of a 2006 affair with the real estate tycoon.

He also said Trump knew in advance in mid-2016 that WikiLeaks would publish emails stolen by the Russians from rival Hillary Clinton's campaign.

And Cohen asserted that lawyers for Trump and his family reviewed and edited his written testimony to Congress in 2017 in which he lied about the Moscow real estate deal.

Nevertheless, Cohen produced no fresh evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia during the election, the subject of an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.

'Lied a lot'

Speaking in Vietnam after a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Trump sought to discredit Cohen, saying his former lawyer and fixer had "lied a lot" -- although not about "one thing."

"He said, no collusion with the Russian hoax," Trump said. "And I said, I wonder why he didn't lie about that, too, like everything else."

The president did not address any of Cohen's specific, explosive allegations about his decade of working with Trump.

On Thursday, two Republicans on the House Oversight Committee said they had petitioned the Justice Department to investigate Cohen for perjury.

They alleged that he lied in Wednesday's testimony about his alleged desire to get a job in the Trump White House, and about whether he had committed bank fraud in the past.

Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis rejected their claims.

"Mr. Cohen testified truthfully before the House Oversight Committee.... He also backed up much of his testimony with documents," Davis said, calling the complaint "baseless."

'Our boy can become president'

As for Sater, lawmakers will seek to quiz him on his dealings with the Trump Organization and the campaign.

Sater has boasted of his ties to Vladimir Putin, saying he could get the Russian president to say "great things" about Trump, and suggested that the Trump Tower deal would help him get elected.

"Our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it," Sater wrote in a November 2015 email quoted by The New York Times.

"I will get all of Putin's team to buy in on this, I will manage this process."

Cohen has testified that Trump was negotiating on the Moscow building deal in 2016, contradicting Trump's repeated declarations during the presidential campaign that he had no business ties to the country.

President Donald Trump's ex-attorney will return to Congress next week for more testimony, US lawmakers said Thursday, after three days of marathon appearances during which Michael Cohen accused his longtime boss of being a conman engaged in illegal activity.

President Donald Trump's ex-attorney will return to Congress next week for more testimony, US lawmakers said Thursday, after three days of marathon appearances during which Michael Cohen accused his longtime boss of being a conman engaged in illegal activity. House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff also revealed that Felix Sater, a Russian-born real estate developer who claims strong connections to the Kremlin, and who reportedly pitched the Moscow Trump Tower project to Trump's team, will testify before the committee on March 14. The public hearing is believed to be the first scheduled appearance before Congress for Sater, who once had an office in Trump Tower and is seen as a mysterious figure who could shed light on dealings between the Trump organization, his campaign and Russia. Cohen meanwhile will return on March 6 for additional closed-door testimony to the Intelligence Committee, Schiff said. "It was a very productive interview today, where he was able to shed light on a lot of issues that are very core to our investigation, and we were able to drill down in great detail," Schiff said, adding that he intended to publicly release transcripts of Cohen's testimony "at the appropriate point." News of the upcoming hearings came after Cohen's gruelling three days on Capitol Hill, including his explosive nationally televised testimony on Wednesday, during which he called Trump an inveterate liar, "racist," and "cheat." Cohen -- who is to report to prison on May 6 to begin serving a three-year sentence for fraud, tax evasion, illegal campaign contributions and lying to Congress -- expressed regret for his years of devoted service to Trump. The onetime lawyer, who has been disbarred, said Trump directed him to lie about hush payments made to a porn actress to silence her claims of a 2006 affair with the real estate tycoon. He also said Trump knew in advance in mid-2016 that WikiLeaks would publish emails stolen by the Russians from rival Hillary Clinton's campaign. And Cohen asserted that lawyers for Trump and his family reviewed and edited his written testimony to Congress in 2017 in which he lied about the Moscow real estate deal. Nevertheless, Cohen produced no fresh evidence that Trump or his campaign colluded with Russia during the election, the subject of an investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. 'Lied a lot' Speaking in Vietnam after a summit with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Trump sought to discredit Cohen, saying his former lawyer and fixer had "lied a lot" -- although not about "one thing." "He said, no collusion with the Russian hoax," Trump said. "And I said, I wonder why he didn't lie about that, too, like everything else." The president did not address any of Cohen's specific, explosive allegations about his decade of working with Trump. On Thursday, two Republicans on the House Oversight Committee said they had petitioned the Justice Department to investigate Cohen for perjury. They alleged that he lied in Wednesday's testimony about his alleged desire to get a job in the Trump White House, and about whether he had committed bank fraud in the past. Cohen's lawyer Lanny Davis rejected their claims. "Mr. Cohen testified truthfully before the House Oversight Committee.... He also backed up much of his testimony with documents," Davis said, calling the complaint "baseless." 'Our boy can become president' As for Sater, lawmakers will seek to quiz him on his dealings with the Trump Organization and the campaign. Sater has boasted of his ties to Vladimir Putin, saying he could get the Russian president to say "great things" about Trump, and suggested that the Trump Tower deal would help him get elected. "Our boy can become president of the USA and we can engineer it," Sater wrote in a November 2015 email quoted by The New York Times. "I will get all of Putin's team to buy in on this, I will manage this process." Cohen has testified that Trump was negotiating on the Moscow building deal in 2016, contradicting Trump's repeated declarations during the presidential campaign that he had no business ties to the country.

Donald Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen again in Congress next week: US lawmaker

Democrats will subpoena <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/robert-mueller-former-trump-campaign-manager-broke-law-repeatedly-and-brazenly-199293">Special Counsel Robert Mueller</a>'s final report on his investigation into links between US President Donald Trump's 2016 election team and Russia if it is not given to Congress, senior lawmaker Adam Schiff said on Sunday.

Schiff, a Democrat who chairs the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said Democrats will also sue the government and call on Mueller to testify to Congress if necessary.

"We will obviously subpoena the report. We will bring Bob Mueller in to testify before Congress; we will take it to court if necessary. And in the end, I think the (Justice) Department understands they're going to have to make this public,” Schiff said in an appearance on ABC's "This Week."

Amid reports that Mueller could be near concluding a 21-month investigation into whether Trump's campaign team colluded with Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election, Democrats are pushing for it to be made public.

When Mueller completes his report, he will hand it into Trump's attorney general, William Barr.

But Barr indicated during his confirmation hearings that he could draft his own report to Congress and not turn Mueller's report over in its entirety.

Trump, a Republican, has denied any collusion took place between his campaign team and Moscow. Russia denies the claims of US intelligence agencies that it meddled in the 2016 elections.

Trump refers to the Mueller probe as a "witch hunt" and on Sunday wrote on Twitter that the only collusion with the Russians was committed by Hillary Clinton, his rival in the 2016 election, and the Democratic National Committee.

Democrats hope to use the Mueller report as the basis for any further investigations into Trump, including whether they would initiate impeachment proceedings.

Schiff said he would be willing to take the administration to court if it does not turn over the Mueller report.

"We are going to get to the bottom of this," Schiff said. "We are going to share this information with the public and if the president is serious about all of his claims of exoneration, then he should welcome the publication of this report."

Democrats will subpoena Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report on his investigation into links between US President Donald Trump's 2016 election team and Russia if it is not given to Congress, senior lawmaker Adam Schiff said on Sunday.

Democrats will subpoena Special Counsel Robert Mueller's final report on his investigation into links between US President Donald Trump's 2016 election team and Russia if it is not given to Congress, senior lawmaker Adam Schiff said on Sunday. Schiff, a Democrat who chairs the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee, said Democrats will also sue the government and call on Mueller to testify to Congress if necessary. "We will obviously subpoena the report. We will bring Bob Mueller in to testify before Congress; we will take it to court if necessary. And in the end, I think the (Justice) Department understands they're going to have to make this public,” Schiff said in an appearance on ABC's "This Week." Amid reports that Mueller could be near concluding a 21-month investigation into whether Trump's campaign team colluded with Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election, Democrats are pushing for it to be made public. When Mueller completes his report, he will hand it into Trump's attorney general, William Barr. But Barr indicated during his confirmation hearings that he could draft his own report to Congress and not turn Mueller's report over in its entirety. Trump, a Republican, has denied any collusion took place between his campaign team and Moscow. Russia denies the claims of US intelligence agencies that it meddled in the 2016 elections. Trump refers to the Mueller probe as a "witch hunt" and on Sunday wrote on Twitter that the only collusion with the Russians was committed by Hillary Clinton, his rival in the 2016 election, and the Democratic National Committee. Democrats hope to use the Mueller report as the basis for any further investigations into Trump, including whether they would initiate impeachment proceedings. Schiff said he would be willing to take the administration to court if it does not turn over the Mueller report. "We are going to get to the bottom of this," Schiff said. "We are going to share this information with the public and if the president is serious about all of his claims of exoneration, then he should welcome the publication of this report."

Democrats will subpoena Mueller's Russia report if needed: US lawmaker

adam-schiff

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