Once again, former President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> beat the rap and once again he wasted no time claiming victory. He released a statement one minute before the presiding officer in the Senate even officially declared that he had been acquitted Saturday, denouncing his impeachment as “yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our country.”

But this one was still different. This one will come with an asterisk in the history books if not a dark stain. This time Trump did not have the East Room of the White House to summon allies for a celebration to crow about eluding conviction. This was the most bipartisan impeachment in history, and even the Republican leader castigated him. This was an escape, not an exoneration.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-biden-reacts-on-trumps-acquittal-says-democracy-is-fragile-363495" hreflang="en">President Biden reacts on Trump's acquittal, says 'democracy is fragile'</a>

The president, who emerged from last year’s impeachment trial feeling emboldened and used his office to take revenge against those he blamed for the charges against him, emerges from this one defeated after one term and secluded behind closed doors in Florida with no government power and an uncertain political and legal future. He forced most Republican senators to stick with him in the trial, but few of them defended his actions, citing constitutional reasons for their votes.

No one condemned him in more forceful terms Saturday than one of those who voted to acquit him, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader who for four years held his tongue and worked in tandem with Trump but has since washed his hands of him. McConnell accused Trump of a “disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty” in trying to overturn an election and setting a mob loose on Congress to block the formalization of his defeat, and he methodically demolished the former president’s defense point by point.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-reaches-deal-closing-arguments-begin-in-trump-impeachment-trial-363469" hreflang="en">US Senate reaches deal, closing arguments begin in Trump impeachment trial</a>

“There’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” McConnell said. “No question about it. The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president. And having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories and reckless hyperbole which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet Earth.”

But the sting of his rebuke was tempered by his vote, which McConnell explained as an unavoidable consequence of his belief that a Senate cannot put a president on trial after he leaves office. Democrats excoriated him for trying to have it both ways, stiff-arming a toxic leader of his own party only when he was out of office without actually holding him accountable. But he also validated the Democrats’ case against Trump.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-lawyers-deny-he-incited-capitol-mob-363466" hreflang="en">Trump’s lawyers deny he incited Capitol mob</a>

Nor was he the only Republican to do so. Seven Senate Republicans voted to convict Trump, the most senators of a president’s own party to turn against him in an impeachment trial in American history, following the 10 House Republicans who did so in the original vote a month ago.

And some of the other Republicans who voted for acquittal Saturday echoed McConnell’s reproval. “The actions and reactions of President Trump were disgraceful, and history will judge him harshly,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio added, “President Trump said and did things that were reckless and encouraged the mob.”

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the lead House impeachment manager, pointed out that the 57-43 vote was the highest total for conviction of a president since Andrew Johnson was acquitted by a single vote in 1868 even if it did not reach the two-thirds required for conviction.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-georgia-a-new-district-attorney-starts-circling-trump-and-his-allies-363465" hreflang="en">In Georgia, a new district attorney starts circling Trump and his allies</a>

And Raskin argued that if only 10 of the Republican senators who voted for acquittal justified their decisions strictly on the same constitutional grounds that McConnell did, that would mean functionally two-thirds of the Senate concluded that Trump was guilty on the facts.

“The defendant, Donald John Trump, was let off on a technicality,” declared Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, another manager.

But Democrats were not entirely sure whether to emphasize the result as a moral victory or condemn it as a shameful betrayal by Republicans.

Even as Raskin was citing McConnell’s comments as vindication of the managers’ case, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unexpectedly showed up at the managers’ post-trial news conference to upbraid McConnell for “a very disingenuous speech” in which he tried “to have it every which way,” presumably to assuage Republican donors.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-the-defense-twisted-facts-and-other-staples-of-the-trump-playbook-363364" hreflang="en">For the defense: Twisted facts and other staples of the Trump playbook</a>

Wary of losing McConnell, who almost certainly could have brought several votes with him and perhaps even enough to secure conviction, Trump uncharacteristically avoided antagonizing Republican senators during the trial. While he was forced to scramble to find lawyers willing to defend him and ended up putting his case in the hands of a personal injury lawyer from Philadelphia, Trump knew going in that he most likely had the votes for acquittal as long as he kept quiet.

His lawyers misstated facts and at times aggravated Republicans and Trump himself with their presentations, but they focused on rallying the party’s senators to stick with him by characterizing the trial as a hypocritical scam by Democrats out to get a political opponent — an argument that some Republicans were willing to embrace even if they did not want to defend Trump’s specific actions.

“The Democrats’ vindictive and divisive political impeachment is over,” Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., wrote on Twitter afterward. “While there are still many questions that remain unanswered, I do know neither the Capitol breach nor this trial should have ever occurred. Hopefully, true healing can now begin.”

Trump, of course, has rarely if ever been in the healing business. Now that he is off the hook in the Senate, he presumably will shed his reticence to speak out. His statement Saturday was another hint about a return to public life. “We have so much work ahead of us, and soon we will emerge with a vision for a bright, radiant and limitless American future,” he wrote.

Having failed to convict, Democrats hope that the trial nonetheless made it implausible if not impossible for Trump to ever run for president again as he has hinted he might do and that the images of the riot he encouraged will be seared into the pages of posterity. “He deserves to be permanently discredited — and I believe he has been discredited — in the eyes of the American people and in the judgment of history,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic majority leader.

But the final judgments on the events of Jan. 6 and his presidency have yet to be issued. Trump retains powerful support among the Republican base, as demonstrated when state party organs condemned and even censured their own representatives and senators who have broken with him since Jan. 6. For many in the core Republican constituency, personal loyalty to Trump clearly matters more than party loyalty.

On the other hand, while he is free of the impeachment threat, Trump still faces possible legal jeopardy stemming from his efforts to subvert the election through false claims of fraud. Among other things, there are criminal investigations in Washington about the riot and in Georgia about Trump’s efforts to pressure state election officials to overturn the results of the state’s vote. Legal experts said the former president could likewise be exposed to civil litigation from victims of the Capitol rampage. And there are continuing investigations of his finances in New York.

McConnell seemed to encourage the authorities to pursue Trump with criminal prosecution, which he said was the constitutionally appropriate means for holding a former president responsible for his actions. Accountability, he said, was still possible.

“He didn’t get away with anything — yet,” McConnell said. “Yet.”

Once again, former President Donald Trump beat the rap and once again he wasted no time claiming victory. He released a statement one minute before the presiding officer in the Senate even officially declared that he had been acquitted Saturday, denouncing his impeachment as “yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our country.

Once again, former President Donald Trump beat the rap and once again he wasted no time claiming victory. He released a statement one minute before the presiding officer in the Senate even officially declared that he had been acquitted Saturday, denouncing his impeachment as “yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our country.” But this one was still different. This one will come with an asterisk in the history books if not a dark stain. This time Trump did not have the East Room of the White House to summon allies for a celebration to crow about eluding conviction. This was the most bipartisan impeachment in history, and even the Republican leader castigated him. This was an escape, not an exoneration. Also read| President Biden reacts on Trump's acquittal, says 'democracy is fragile' The president, who emerged from last year’s impeachment trial feeling emboldened and used his office to take revenge against those he blamed for the charges against him, emerges from this one defeated after one term and secluded behind closed doors in Florida with no government power and an uncertain political and legal future. He forced most Republican senators to stick with him in the trial, but few of them defended his actions, citing constitutional reasons for their votes. No one condemned him in more forceful terms Saturday than one of those who voted to acquit him, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader who for four years held his tongue and worked in tandem with Trump but has since washed his hands of him. McConnell accused Trump of a “disgraceful, disgraceful dereliction of duty” in trying to overturn an election and setting a mob loose on Congress to block the formalization of his defeat, and he methodically demolished the former president’s defense point by point. Also read| US Senate reaches deal, closing arguments begin in Trump impeachment trial “There’s no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,” McConnell said. “No question about it. The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president. And having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories and reckless hyperbole which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet Earth.” But the sting of his rebuke was tempered by his vote, which McConnell explained as an unavoidable consequence of his belief that a Senate cannot put a president on trial after he leaves office. Democrats excoriated him for trying to have it both ways, stiff-arming a toxic leader of his own party only when he was out of office without actually holding him accountable. But he also validated the Democrats’ case against Trump. Also read| Trump’s lawyers deny he incited Capitol mob Nor was he the only Republican to do so. Seven Senate Republicans voted to convict Trump, the most senators of a president’s own party to turn against him in an impeachment trial in American history, following the 10 House Republicans who did so in the original vote a month ago. And some of the other Republicans who voted for acquittal Saturday echoed McConnell’s reproval. “The actions and reactions of President Trump were disgraceful, and history will judge him harshly,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio added, “President Trump said and did things that were reckless and encouraged the mob.” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., the lead House impeachment manager, pointed out that the 57-43 vote was the highest total for conviction of a president since Andrew Johnson was acquitted by a single vote in 1868 even if it did not reach the two-thirds required for conviction. Also read| In Georgia, a new district attorney starts circling Trump and his allies And Raskin argued that if only 10 of the Republican senators who voted for acquittal justified their decisions strictly on the same constitutional grounds that McConnell did, that would mean functionally two-thirds of the Senate concluded that Trump was guilty on the facts. “The defendant, Donald John Trump, was let off on a technicality,” declared Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, another manager. But Democrats were not entirely sure whether to emphasize the result as a moral victory or condemn it as a shameful betrayal by Republicans. Even as Raskin was citing McConnell’s comments as vindication of the managers’ case, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi unexpectedly showed up at the managers’ post-trial news conference to upbraid McConnell for “a very disingenuous speech” in which he tried “to have it every which way,” presumably to assuage Republican donors. Also read| For the defense: Twisted facts and other staples of the Trump playbook Wary of losing McConnell, who almost certainly could have brought several votes with him and perhaps even enough to secure conviction, Trump uncharacteristically avoided antagonizing Republican senators during the trial. While he was forced to scramble to find lawyers willing to defend him and ended up putting his case in the hands of a personal injury lawyer from Philadelphia, Trump knew going in that he most likely had the votes for acquittal as long as he kept quiet. His lawyers misstated facts and at times aggravated Republicans and Trump himself with their presentations, but they focused on rallying the party’s senators to stick with him by characterizing the trial as a hypocritical scam by Democrats out to get a political opponent — an argument that some Republicans were willing to embrace even if they did not want to defend Trump’s specific actions. “The Democrats’ vindictive and divisive political impeachment is over,” Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., wrote on Twitter afterward. “While there are still many questions that remain unanswered, I do know neither the Capitol breach nor this trial should have ever occurred. Hopefully, true healing can now begin.” Trump, of course, has rarely if ever been in the healing business. Now that he is off the hook in the Senate, he presumably will shed his reticence to speak out. His statement Saturday was another hint about a return to public life. “We have so much work ahead of us, and soon we will emerge with a vision for a bright, radiant and limitless American future,” he wrote. Having failed to convict, Democrats hope that the trial nonetheless made it implausible if not impossible for Trump to ever run for president again as he has hinted he might do and that the images of the riot he encouraged will be seared into the pages of posterity. “He deserves to be permanently discredited — and I believe he has been discredited — in the eyes of the American people and in the judgment of history,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, the Democratic majority leader. But the final judgments on the events of Jan. 6 and his presidency have yet to be issued. Trump retains powerful support among the Republican base, as demonstrated when state party organs condemned and even censured their own representatives and senators who have broken with him since Jan. 6. For many in the core Republican constituency, personal loyalty to Trump clearly matters more than party loyalty. On the other hand, while he is free of the impeachment threat, Trump still faces possible legal jeopardy stemming from his efforts to subvert the election through false claims of fraud. Among other things, there are criminal investigations in Washington about the riot and in Georgia about Trump’s efforts to pressure state election officials to overturn the results of the state’s vote. Legal experts said the former president could likewise be exposed to civil litigation from victims of the Capitol rampage. And there are continuing investigations of his finances in New York. McConnell seemed to encourage the authorities to pursue Trump with criminal prosecution, which he said was the constitutionally appropriate means for holding a former president responsible for his actions. Accountability, he said, was still possible. “He didn’t get away with anything — yet,” McConnell said. “Yet.”

For Trump, an escape, not an exoneration

Former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party entered this year having stockpiled more than $175 million from fundraising in November and December based on his false claims of voter fraud, spending only a tiny fraction on lawyers and bills for his effort to overturn the presidential election, according to new campaign finance reports filed Sunday night.

The picture that emerges in the new Federal Election Commission reports is of Trump mounting a furious public relations effort to spread the lie and keep generating money from it, rather than making a sustained legal push to try to support his conspiracy theories.

His campaign’s single biggest expense in December was a nearly $5 million media buy paid to the firm that bought his television advertisements. His second-largest payment, $4.4 million, was for online advertising. And the Republican National Committee pocketed millions of dollars in donations — collecting 25 cents for every dollar Trump raised online — in the final weeks of the year as it spent relatively little on legal costs.

All told, Trump’s campaign spent only $10 million on legal costs — about one-fifth of what it spent on advertising and fundraising, according to an analysis of Federal Election Commission filings from Nov. 4 through the end of the year.

During that period, Trump’s conspiracy-fueled accusations that votes had been miscounted or misappropriated repeatedly fell flat in the courts. Joe Biden was elected president by voters on Nov. 3, confirmed by the Electoral College on Dec. 14 and ratified by Congress on Jan. 6 — the same day that Trump incited a mob that stormed the Capitol.

But while Trump’s efforts to delegitimize the election did not keep him in power, they did spur millions in contributions from loyal supporters and provided both him and the party with an enormous infusion of cash.

The Republican National Committee ended the year with more than $80 million in the bank after the fundraising blitz, and Trump had $31 million in the new political action committee he formed in November for his post-presidential political ventures.

That accounts for just some of their haul. The party and the former president had roughly $63 million more in two shared accounts waiting to be distributed between them, with Trump’s PAC entitled to 75% of the money raised in December, giving him an estimated $70 million PAC war chest.

Most of the money appears to have come online and from smaller contributors, with relatively few five- and six-figure checks, especially once the calendar turned to December. One $100,000 check in early December came from Elaine J. Wold, a major Republican donor in Florida.

Though his race was over, Trump’s voracious online fundraising from Nov. 24 through the end of the year even outpaced that of the two Republican senators, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who were competing in the Georgia runoff elections that would determine control of the chamber.

During those 39 days, Trump and his shared committees with the RNC raised $80 million online; Loeffler and Perdue combined for closer to $75 million. Both lost.

Trump did incur some legal costs from more than a dozen law firms.

He paid $1.6 million to Kasowitz Benson Torres, more than $500,000 to Jones Day and about $600,000 to Dechert. The law firm of Kurt Hilbert, who was on Trump’s phone call pressuring the Republican secretary of state in Georgia, Brad Raffensperger, to “find” votes to overturn the election outcome, was paid more than $480,000. A $3 million payment went to the Wisconsin election commission to pay for a recount.

One major Republican donor, C. Boyden Gray, who contributed more than $2 million to Republicans in the 2020 cycle, also provided legal consulting for Trump, earning $114,000.

The man who made so many public appearances on behalf of Trump as his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, reported no payments by the former president’s campaign. His firm was reimbursed for $63,423 in travel in mid-December.

An associate of Giuliani’s had asked that he be paid $20,000 a day for his work for Trump, which Giuliani initially denied. He later acknowledged the request to The New York Times, but he has continued to publicly deny making money for his work, including in a radio appearance Sunday.

“I haven’t made a penny on it,” Giuliani said.

The Trump campaign also spent $20,130 in mid-December for what were described as travel reimbursements to the Kerik Group, led by former New York Police Commissioner Bernard B. Kerik, whom Trump pardoned last year for his 2010 conviction on eight felonies. Kerik is a close ally of Giuliani’s.

The Trump operation continued to spend on fundraising, pouring millions more into a secretive limited liability company, American Made Media Consultants, for online and text-message advertising. Family members of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence once served on the board of that company, which had more than $700 million in spending flow through it during the 2020 campaign.

One of Trump’s shared committees with the Republican National Committee spent $237,000 on books through a company, Reagan Investments, that has also done work for a PAC controlled by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. The Trump campaign offered signed copies of Cruz’s book last fall to donors who gave $75 or more.

And, as they have since the beginning of his candidacy in 2015, Trump’s campaign accounts patronized his businesses in the postelection period.

The Trump Victory committee paid $34,000 to the Trump Hotel Collection in its final 2020 filing. The same committee also paid a Trump-owned limited liability company that operates a private plane, DT Endeavor, $39,200 on Nov. 24.

Another Trump campaign committee paid $75,000 in rent to the Trump Tower building in December.

Former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party entered this year having stockpiled more than $175 million from fundraising in November and December based on his false claims of voter fraud, spending only a tiny fraction on lawyers and bills for his effort to overturn the presidential election, according to new campaign finance reports filed Sunday night.

Former President Donald Trump and the Republican Party entered this year having stockpiled more than $175 million from fundraising in November and December based on his false claims of voter fraud, spending only a tiny fraction on lawyers and bills for his effort to overturn the presidential election, according to new campaign finance reports filed Sunday night. The picture that emerges in the new Federal Election Commission reports is of Trump mounting a furious public relations effort to spread the lie and keep generating money from it, rather than making a sustained legal push to try to support his conspiracy theories. His campaign’s single biggest expense in December was a nearly $5 million media buy paid to the firm that bought his television advertisements. His second-largest payment, $4.4 million, was for online advertising. And the Republican National Committee pocketed millions of dollars in donations — collecting 25 cents for every dollar Trump raised online — in the final weeks of the year as it spent relatively little on legal costs. All told, Trump’s campaign spent only $10 million on legal costs — about one-fifth of what it spent on advertising and fundraising, according to an analysis of Federal Election Commission filings from Nov. 4 through the end of the year. During that period, Trump’s conspiracy-fueled accusations that votes had been miscounted or misappropriated repeatedly fell flat in the courts. Joe Biden was elected president by voters on Nov. 3, confirmed by the Electoral College on Dec. 14 and ratified by Congress on Jan. 6 — the same day that Trump incited a mob that stormed the Capitol. But while Trump’s efforts to delegitimize the election did not keep him in power, they did spur millions in contributions from loyal supporters and provided both him and the party with an enormous infusion of cash. The Republican National Committee ended the year with more than $80 million in the bank after the fundraising blitz, and Trump had $31 million in the new political action committee he formed in November for his post-presidential political ventures. That accounts for just some of their haul. The party and the former president had roughly $63 million more in two shared accounts waiting to be distributed between them, with Trump’s PAC entitled to 75% of the money raised in December, giving him an estimated $70 million PAC war chest. Most of the money appears to have come online and from smaller contributors, with relatively few five- and six-figure checks, especially once the calendar turned to December. One $100,000 check in early December came from Elaine J. Wold, a major Republican donor in Florida. Though his race was over, Trump’s voracious online fundraising from Nov. 24 through the end of the year even outpaced that of the two Republican senators, Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue, who were competing in the Georgia runoff elections that would determine control of the chamber. During those 39 days, Trump and his shared committees with the RNC raised $80 million online; Loeffler and Perdue combined for closer to $75 million. Both lost. Trump did incur some legal costs from more than a dozen law firms. He paid $1.6 million to Kasowitz Benson Torres, more than $500,000 to Jones Day and about $600,000 to Dechert. The law firm of Kurt Hilbert, who was on Trump’s phone call pressuring the Republican secretary of state in Georgia, Brad Raffensperger, to “find” votes to overturn the election outcome, was paid more than $480,000. A $3 million payment went to the Wisconsin election commission to pay for a recount. One major Republican donor, C. Boyden Gray, who contributed more than $2 million to Republicans in the 2020 cycle, also provided legal consulting for Trump, earning $114,000. The man who made so many public appearances on behalf of Trump as his personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, reported no payments by the former president’s campaign. His firm was reimbursed for $63,423 in travel in mid-December. An associate of Giuliani’s had asked that he be paid $20,000 a day for his work for Trump, which Giuliani initially denied. He later acknowledged the request to The New York Times, but he has continued to publicly deny making money for his work, including in a radio appearance Sunday. “I haven’t made a penny on it,” Giuliani said. The Trump campaign also spent $20,130 in mid-December for what were described as travel reimbursements to the Kerik Group, led by former New York Police Commissioner Bernard B. Kerik, whom Trump pardoned last year for his 2010 conviction on eight felonies. Kerik is a close ally of Giuliani’s. The Trump operation continued to spend on fundraising, pouring millions more into a secretive limited liability company, American Made Media Consultants, for online and text-message advertising. Family members of Trump and Vice President Mike Pence once served on the board of that company, which had more than $700 million in spending flow through it during the 2020 campaign. One of Trump’s shared committees with the Republican National Committee spent $237,000 on books through a company, Reagan Investments, that has also done work for a PAC controlled by Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas. The Trump campaign offered signed copies of Cruz’s book last fall to donors who gave $75 or more. And, as they have since the beginning of his candidacy in 2015, Trump’s campaign accounts patronized his businesses in the postelection period. The Trump Victory committee paid $34,000 to the Trump Hotel Collection in its final 2020 filing. The same committee also paid a Trump-owned limited liability company that operates a private plane, DT Endeavor, $39,200 on Nov. 24. Another Trump campaign committee paid $75,000 in rent to the Trump Tower building in December.

As Trump raked in cash denying his loss, little went to actual legal fight

Many Republicans who served former US President George W Bush's administration are now leaving the party.

Some of these officials held important portfolios during the Bush reign. Reuters reported that many of these leaders were disappointed in the failure by many Republicans to shut out former President Donald Trump who repeatedly claimed that the November 2020 election was fraudulent.&nbsp;

In the aftermath of these claims, Trump urged his supporters to march to the US Capitol, which ended in violent riots leaving five people, including a police officer dead.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/democrats-need-17-republican-votes-to-convict-donald-trump-359663/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Many Republicans leaders told Reuters that they no longer feel&nbsp;the party represents what it once used to.

Many of these former Bush officials have ended their membership with the party, while others are letting it lapse. A few have reregistered as independents.&nbsp; 
 
"The Republican Party as I knew it no longer exists. I’d call it the cult of Trump," Jimmy Gurulé, who was Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the Bush administration told Reuters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/trump-names-two-new-lawyers-to-lead-his-impeachment-defence-team-in-senate-trial-360485" hreflang="en">Trump names two new lawyers to lead his impeachment defence team in Senate trial</a>

Another official - Kristopher Purcell, who worked in the communications department for Bush said that at least 60-70 former Bush officials have withdrawn from the party, and that the "number is growing every day".

In an interview given by The Republican National Committee's chair Ronna McDaniel to Fox Business, McDaniel claimed that the party is having a spat at the moment.

“We’re having a little bit of a spat right now. But we are going to come together. We have to”, McDaniel said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/top-trump-donor-funded-rally-that-preceded-us-capitol-riot-report-says-360337" hreflang="en">Top Trump donor funded rally that preceded US Capitol riot, report says</a>

Many Republicans still support Trump, with many claiming that they would not support his impeachment, which would ensure that his conviction in the Senate trial does not happen.

On January 13, Donald Trump was impeached by the US House of Representatives, which is under Democrat control for "incitement of insurrection".

After this, Trump became the only US President to be impeached twice. 
&nbsp;

Many Republicans who served former US President George W Bush's administration are now leaving the party. Some of these officials held important portfolios during the Bush reign.

Many Republicans who served former US President George W Bush's administration are now leaving the party. Some of these officials held important portfolios during the Bush reign. Reuters reported that many of these leaders were disappointed in the failure by many Republicans to shut out former President Donald Trump who repeatedly claimed that the November 2020 election was fraudulent. In the aftermath of these claims, Trump urged his supporters to march to the US Capitol, which ended in violent riots leaving five people, including a police officer dead. Many Republicans leaders told Reuters that they no longer feel the party represents what it once used to. Many of these former Bush officials have ended their membership with the party, while others are letting it lapse. A few have reregistered as independents. "The Republican Party as I knew it no longer exists. I’d call it the cult of Trump," Jimmy Gurulé, who was Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence in the Bush administration told Reuters. Also read: Trump names two new lawyers to lead his impeachment defence team in Senate trial Another official - Kristopher Purcell, who worked in the communications department for Bush said that at least 60-70 former Bush officials have withdrawn from the party, and that the "number is growing every day". In an interview given by The Republican National Committee's chair Ronna McDaniel to Fox Business, McDaniel claimed that the party is having a spat at the moment. “We’re having a little bit of a spat right now. But we are going to come together. We have to”, McDaniel said. Also read: Top Trump donor funded rally that preceded US Capitol riot, report says Many Republicans still support Trump, with many claiming that they would not support his impeachment, which would ensure that his conviction in the Senate trial does not happen. On January 13, Donald Trump was impeached by the US House of Representatives, which is under Democrat control for "incitement of insurrection". After this, Trump became the only US President to be impeached twice.

Many former Bush officials are leaving Republican Party, calling it 'Trump cult'

As a second impeachment trial for Donald Trump approaches next month, Republicans in states across the country are lining up behind the former president with unwavering support.

Perhaps no state has demonstrated its fealty as tenaciously as Pennsylvania, where Republican officials have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep Trumpism at the center of their message as they bolster the president’s false claims of a “stolen” election.

Eight of nine Republicans in Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation voted to throw out their state’s own electoral votes for President Joe Biden on Jan. 6, just hours after a mob had stormed the Capitol.

A majority of Republicans in the state Legislature had endorsed that effort.

And one House member from the state, Scott Perry, was instrumental in promoting a plan in which Trump would fire the acting attorney general in an effort to stay in office.

In the weeks since the Nov. 3 election, Republicans in Pennsylvania have made loyalty to the defeated ex-president the sole organizing principle of the party, the latest chapter in a rightward populist march repeated across other states. As elsewhere, the Pennsylvania GOP was once led by mainstream conservatives, but it is now defined almost exclusively by Trumpism. It faces major statewide races in 2022, for offices including governor and the Senate, with an electorate that just rejected Trump in favor of Biden.

Far from engaging in self-examination, Pennsylvania Republicans are already jockeying before the 2022 primaries to prove that they fought the hardest for Trump, who, in spite of the losses by his party in the White House, the Senate and the House, still exerts a strong grip over elected Republicans and grassroots voters.

As the Republican base has shifted — suburbanites leaning more Democratic and rural white voters lining up behind Republicans over culture-war issues — GOP leaders recognize the extent to which the former president unleashed waves of support for their party. In Pennsylvania, just as in some Midwestern states, a surge of new Republican voters with grievances about a changing America was triggered by Trump, and only Trump.

“Donald Trump’s presidency and his popularity has been a big win for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania,” said Rob Gleason, a former chair of the state GOP. Even though numerous state and federal courts rejected the Trump campaign’s baseless claims of voter fraud, Gleason said the belief that the voting was rigged “lingers in the minds of a lot of people.”

He predicted it would drive Republican turnout in upcoming races. He said he had met this week with a prosecutor who “feels the election was stolen” and was pondering a run for a statewide judgeship this year.

Other Republicans are more skeptical that lock-step support of the former president is the best path forward in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state that is likely to be up for grabs in the next several election cycles.

“We have become, over four years, the party of Trump, and it has been one test after the other,” said Ryan Costello, a former GOP House member from the Philadelphia suburbs who has been critical of Trump and is exploring a run for Senate. “It is not a sustainable growth strategy to double and triple and quadruple down on Trump when he gets divisive.”

Despite Costello’s apprehension, most Republicans thought to be mulling runs for Senate or governor have made it clear that they are prepared to pass a Trump loyalty test.

They include members of the Republican congressional delegation, hard-line members of the Legislature, and even Donald Trump Jr. The president’s oldest son is the subject of persistent rumors that he will run for high office in the state — mostly because of his ties to Pennsylvania, where he went to prep school and college. The Trump family spent an enormous amount of time campaigning in Pennsylvania in 2020, and as it seeks its next political stage, the state remains a big one.

The transformation of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania has been stark. Less than two decades ago, it was led by political centrists such as former Sen. Arlen Specter and former Gov. Tom Ridge, who became the first secretary of homeland security.

Now it is embodied by Perry, a member of the hard-line Freedom Caucus who won a fifth term in November for his Harrisburg-area seat. His Democratic opponent, Eugene DePasquale, said he lost the race “fair and square.” But he called the Republican congressman’s efforts on behalf of Trump in a scheme involving the Justice Department “a radical attempt to overthrow the election.”

Perry, a purveyor of misinformation about the presidential election, acknowledged Monday his role in introducing Trump to an official in the Justice Department. That official, Jeffrey Clark, was willing to abet Trump in pressing Georgia to invalidate its electoral votes for Biden.

The plan never unfolded. But Perry, a retired National Guard general who dodged the new metal detectors in the Capitol, rejected calls by Democrats to resign.

Just as resolute in their defense of Trump were the other Pennsylvania House Republicans who voted to reject the state’s electoral votes for Biden on Jan. 6. Rep. Conor Lamb, a Democrat from western Pennsylvania, said on the House floor that his Republican colleagues should be “ashamed of themselves” for spreading lies that led to the breach of the Capitol. His impassioned speech nearly precipitated a fistfight.

“The Trump people were putting out a message: ‘We better see you publicly fighting for us,’” Lamb said in an interview this week. “The 2022 midterm is shaping up to be choosing the candidate who loves Trump the most,” he said of GOP primary contests.

But he called that an opportunity for Democrats to talk about issues affecting people’s lives, such as the economy and the pandemic, while Republicans remain fixated on the 2020 election. “They’re making their main political argument at this point based on a fraud; they’re not making it based on real-world conditions,” he said. “The election was not stolen. Biden really beat Trump.”

Lamb, who has won three races in districts that voted for Trump, has been mentioned as a contender for the open Senate seat. “I would say I will be thinking about it,” he said.

Apart from the House delegation, much of the Trumpist takeover in Pennsylvania has occurred in the Legislature, where Republicans held their majorities in both chambers in November (a result that the party fails to mention in its vehement claims of election fraud in the presidential race).

In contrast to states such as Georgia and Arizona, where top Republican officials debunked disinformation from Trump and his allies, in Pennsylvania no senior Republicans in Harrisburg pushed back on false claims about election results, some of them created by lawmakers themselves or by Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

A majority of Republicans in the General Assembly urged the state’s congressional delegation in December to reject the state’s 20 electoral votes for Biden after the results were legally certified. Such was the pressure from grassroots Trump supporters that the majority leader of the state Senate, Kim Ward, said in an interview last month that if she refused to sign on to such an effort, “I’d get my house bombed tonight.”

The full embrace of Trump’s lies about a “stolen” election followed months of Republican lawmakers’ echoing his dismissals of the coronavirus threat. Lawmakers who appeared at “ReOpen PA” rallies in Harrisburg in May, flouting masks and limits on crowd sizes, morphed into leading purveyors of disinformation about election fraud after Nov. 3.

One state senator, Doug Mastriano, who is widely believed to be considering a run for governor, paid for buses and offered rides to the “Save America” protests in Washington on Jan. 6 that preceded the breach of the Capitol. Mastriano has said he left before events turned violent.

As the Legislature convened its 2021 session, Republicans recommitted to a hard-line agenda. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a Democrat, was removed by the Republican majority as president of the state Senate at a legislative session Jan. 5. Fetterman had strenuously objected to Republicans’ refusal to seat a Democratic lawmaker whose narrow victory had been officially certified.

Republicans in the state House are seeking to change how judges are elected to ensure a Republican majority on the state Supreme Court, after the current court, with a Democratic lean, ruled against claims in election fraud cases last year.

Republican lawmakers have also plunged into a lengthy examination of the November election, even though no evidence of more than trivial fraud has surfaced, and courts rejected claims that election officials overstepped their legal mandates.

Republicans announced 14 hearings in the House. Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, a Democrat, was grilled in the first one last week. Dismissing the series of hearings as a “charade,” she called on Republicans not to sow further distrust in the integrity of the state’s election, which drew a record 71% turnout despite a pandemic.

“We need to stand together as Americans,” Boockvar said in an interview, “and tell the voters these were lies, that your votes counted, they were checked, they were audited, they were recounted many places, and the numbers added up and they were certified.”

As a second impeachment trial for Donald Trump approaches next month, Republicans in states across the country are lining up behind the former president with unwavering support.

As a second impeachment trial for Donald Trump approaches next month, Republicans in states across the country are lining up behind the former president with unwavering support. Perhaps no state has demonstrated its fealty as tenaciously as Pennsylvania, where Republican officials have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep Trumpism at the center of their message as they bolster the president’s false claims of a “stolen” election. Eight of nine Republicans in Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation voted to throw out their state’s own electoral votes for President Joe Biden on Jan. 6, just hours after a mob had stormed the Capitol. A majority of Republicans in the state Legislature had endorsed that effort. And one House member from the state, Scott Perry, was instrumental in promoting a plan in which Trump would fire the acting attorney general in an effort to stay in office. In the weeks since the Nov. 3 election, Republicans in Pennsylvania have made loyalty to the defeated ex-president the sole organizing principle of the party, the latest chapter in a rightward populist march repeated across other states. As elsewhere, the Pennsylvania GOP was once led by mainstream conservatives, but it is now defined almost exclusively by Trumpism. It faces major statewide races in 2022, for offices including governor and the Senate, with an electorate that just rejected Trump in favor of Biden. Far from engaging in self-examination, Pennsylvania Republicans are already jockeying before the 2022 primaries to prove that they fought the hardest for Trump, who, in spite of the losses by his party in the White House, the Senate and the House, still exerts a strong grip over elected Republicans and grassroots voters. As the Republican base has shifted — suburbanites leaning more Democratic and rural white voters lining up behind Republicans over culture-war issues — GOP leaders recognize the extent to which the former president unleashed waves of support for their party. In Pennsylvania, just as in some Midwestern states, a surge of new Republican voters with grievances about a changing America was triggered by Trump, and only Trump. “Donald Trump’s presidency and his popularity has been a big win for the Republican Party of Pennsylvania,” said Rob Gleason, a former chair of the state GOP. Even though numerous state and federal courts rejected the Trump campaign’s baseless claims of voter fraud, Gleason said the belief that the voting was rigged “lingers in the minds of a lot of people.” He predicted it would drive Republican turnout in upcoming races. He said he had met this week with a prosecutor who “feels the election was stolen” and was pondering a run for a statewide judgeship this year. Other Republicans are more skeptical that lock-step support of the former president is the best path forward in Pennsylvania, a critical battleground state that is likely to be up for grabs in the next several election cycles. “We have become, over four years, the party of Trump, and it has been one test after the other,” said Ryan Costello, a former GOP House member from the Philadelphia suburbs who has been critical of Trump and is exploring a run for Senate. “It is not a sustainable growth strategy to double and triple and quadruple down on Trump when he gets divisive.” Despite Costello’s apprehension, most Republicans thought to be mulling runs for Senate or governor have made it clear that they are prepared to pass a Trump loyalty test. They include members of the Republican congressional delegation, hard-line members of the Legislature, and even Donald Trump Jr. The president’s oldest son is the subject of persistent rumors that he will run for high office in the state — mostly because of his ties to Pennsylvania, where he went to prep school and college. The Trump family spent an enormous amount of time campaigning in Pennsylvania in 2020, and as it seeks its next political stage, the state remains a big one. The transformation of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania has been stark. Less than two decades ago, it was led by political centrists such as former Sen. Arlen Specter and former Gov. Tom Ridge, who became the first secretary of homeland security. Now it is embodied by Perry, a member of the hard-line Freedom Caucus who won a fifth term in November for his Harrisburg-area seat. His Democratic opponent, Eugene DePasquale, said he lost the race “fair and square.” But he called the Republican congressman’s efforts on behalf of Trump in a scheme involving the Justice Department “a radical attempt to overthrow the election.” Perry, a purveyor of misinformation about the presidential election, acknowledged Monday his role in introducing Trump to an official in the Justice Department. That official, Jeffrey Clark, was willing to abet Trump in pressing Georgia to invalidate its electoral votes for Biden. The plan never unfolded. But Perry, a retired National Guard general who dodged the new metal detectors in the Capitol, rejected calls by Democrats to resign. Just as resolute in their defense of Trump were the other Pennsylvania House Republicans who voted to reject the state’s electoral votes for Biden on Jan. 6. Rep. Conor Lamb, a Democrat from western Pennsylvania, said on the House floor that his Republican colleagues should be “ashamed of themselves” for spreading lies that led to the breach of the Capitol. His impassioned speech nearly precipitated a fistfight. “The Trump people were putting out a message: ‘We better see you publicly fighting for us,’” Lamb said in an interview this week. “The 2022 midterm is shaping up to be choosing the candidate who loves Trump the most,” he said of GOP primary contests. But he called that an opportunity for Democrats to talk about issues affecting people’s lives, such as the economy and the pandemic, while Republicans remain fixated on the 2020 election. “They’re making their main political argument at this point based on a fraud; they’re not making it based on real-world conditions,” he said. “The election was not stolen. Biden really beat Trump.” Lamb, who has won three races in districts that voted for Trump, has been mentioned as a contender for the open Senate seat. “I would say I will be thinking about it,” he said. Apart from the House delegation, much of the Trumpist takeover in Pennsylvania has occurred in the Legislature, where Republicans held their majorities in both chambers in November (a result that the party fails to mention in its vehement claims of election fraud in the presidential race). In contrast to states such as Georgia and Arizona, where top Republican officials debunked disinformation from Trump and his allies, in Pennsylvania no senior Republicans in Harrisburg pushed back on false claims about election results, some of them created by lawmakers themselves or by Trump’s lawyer Rudy Giuliani. A majority of Republicans in the General Assembly urged the state’s congressional delegation in December to reject the state’s 20 electoral votes for Biden after the results were legally certified. Such was the pressure from grassroots Trump supporters that the majority leader of the state Senate, Kim Ward, said in an interview last month that if she refused to sign on to such an effort, “I’d get my house bombed tonight.” The full embrace of Trump’s lies about a “stolen” election followed months of Republican lawmakers’ echoing his dismissals of the coronavirus threat. Lawmakers who appeared at “ReOpen PA” rallies in Harrisburg in May, flouting masks and limits on crowd sizes, morphed into leading purveyors of disinformation about election fraud after Nov. 3. One state senator, Doug Mastriano, who is widely believed to be considering a run for governor, paid for buses and offered rides to the “Save America” protests in Washington on Jan. 6 that preceded the breach of the Capitol. Mastriano has said he left before events turned violent. As the Legislature convened its 2021 session, Republicans recommitted to a hard-line agenda. Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a Democrat, was removed by the Republican majority as president of the state Senate at a legislative session Jan. 5. Fetterman had strenuously objected to Republicans’ refusal to seat a Democratic lawmaker whose narrow victory had been officially certified. Republicans in the state House are seeking to change how judges are elected to ensure a Republican majority on the state Supreme Court, after the current court, with a Democratic lean, ruled against claims in election fraud cases last year. Republican lawmakers have also plunged into a lengthy examination of the November election, even though no evidence of more than trivial fraud has surfaced, and courts rejected claims that election officials overstepped their legal mandates. Republicans announced 14 hearings in the House. Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, a Democrat, was grilled in the first one last week. Dismissing the series of hearings as a “charade,” she called on Republicans not to sow further distrust in the integrity of the state’s election, which drew a record 71% turnout despite a pandemic. “We need to stand together as Americans,” Boockvar said in an interview, “and tell the voters these were lies, that your votes counted, they were checked, they were audited, they were recounted many places, and the numbers added up and they were certified.”

Why Pennsylvania Republican leaders are all-in for Trump more than ever

Donald Trump became the first US president in history to be impeached twice when the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to charge him with inciting last week's mob attack on Congress.

The Senate will not hold a trial before January 20, when Democrat Joe Biden assumes the presidency, meaning the real estate tycoon will escape the risk of being forced to leave early. He will, however, depart in disgrace -- and likely due to face a Senate trial later.

The only question in the House had been how many Republicans would join the Democratic majority.

In the end, 10 Republicans broke ranks, including the party's number three in the House, Representative Liz Cheney.

Holed up in the White House, Trump had no immediate reaction but he earlier issued a brief statement insisting that he opposed violence among his supporters.

"In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be no violence, no lawbreaking and no vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for," he said.

"I call on all Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You."

Reflecting the fear of upheaval, armed National Guards deployed across the capital and central streets were blocked to traffic.

In the Capitol building itself, guards in full camouflage and carrying assault rifles assembled, some of them grabbing naps early Wednesday under the ornate statues and historical paintings.

Trump survived a first impeachment almost exactly a year ago when the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him of abusing his office to try and get dirt on Biden's family before the election.

This time, his downfall was triggered by a speech he delivered to a crowd on the National Mall on January 6, telling them that Biden had stolen the presidential election and that they needed to march on Congress and show "strength."

Amped up on weeks of election conspiracy theories pushed by Trump, the mob then stormed into the Capitol, fatally wounded one police officer, wrecked furniture and forced terrified lawmakers to hide, interrupting a ceremony to put the legal stamp on Biden's victory.&nbsp;

One protester was shot dead, and three other people died of "medical emergencies," bringing the toll to five.

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the chamber that Trump "must go."

"He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love," she said.

And Democratic lawmaker Ilhan Omar branded Trump a "tyrant," saying that "for us to able to survive as a functioning democracy there has to be accountability."

But Nancy Mace, a newly-elected Republican congresswoman said that while lawmakers "need to hold the president accountable," the speed of the impeachment "poses great questions about the constitutionality."

The top Republican in the House, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, said that while Trump deserves censure, hurriedly impeaching will "further divide this nation."

- McConnell open to impeachment - 
Trump, who has been stripped of his social media megaphones by Twitter and Facebook, and finds himself increasingly ostracized in the business world, is struggling to impose his message -- let alone any kind of resistance.

His refusal to accept any responsibility for the horrifying scenes on January 6 -- including his insistence Tuesday that his speech was "totally appropriate" -- has infuriated allies and opponents alike.

The main question now is to what extent former Republican allies in the Senate will turn on their party's figurehead. Last year, they acquitted Trump overwhelmingly after the House impeached him for abuse of office.

Powerful Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell has made clear there is no time before Trump's January 20 exit to hold an impeachment trial, given that the Senate is in recess until January 19.

However, he said Wednesday that he was open to the possibility of voting to convict Trump in a trial, which could still be held after Biden takes over.

"I have not made a final decision on how I will vote and I intend to listen to the legal arguments when they are presented to the Senate," McConnell said.

The New York Times reported Tuesday that McConnell is signalling privately that he believes Trump did commit impeachable offences.

This presents a potentially fatal shift in the ground under Trump's feet because it could lead other Republican senators to join in convicting Trump with the goal of turning the page in the turbulent relationship between the party and former reality TV host and real estate magnate.

Meanwhile, the increasingly toothless Trump's social media woes deepened late Tuesday when video-sharing giant YouTube said it was suspending his official account for at least a week, out of concern his videos could incite violence.

He is also being cut out by the business world, threatening his financial future once he leaves the White House.

The latest blow to the Trump empire was when the mayor of his native New York City, Bill de Blasio, announced Wednesday a termination of contracts to run a golf course, two ice-skating rinks and a carousel in Central Park.

"New York City doesn't do business with insurrectionists," de Blasio, a Democrat, tweeted.

Donald Trump became the first US president in history to be impeached twice when the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to charge him with inciting last week's mob attack on Congress.

Donald Trump became the first US president in history to be impeached twice when the House of Representatives voted Wednesday to charge him with inciting last week's mob attack on Congress. The Senate will not hold a trial before January 20, when Democrat Joe Biden assumes the presidency, meaning the real estate tycoon will escape the risk of being forced to leave early. He will, however, depart in disgrace -- and likely due to face a Senate trial later. The only question in the House had been how many Republicans would join the Democratic majority. In the end, 10 Republicans broke ranks, including the party's number three in the House, Representative Liz Cheney. Holed up in the White House, Trump had no immediate reaction but he earlier issued a brief statement insisting that he opposed violence among his supporters. "In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be no violence, no lawbreaking and no vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for," he said. "I call on all Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You." Reflecting the fear of upheaval, armed National Guards deployed across the capital and central streets were blocked to traffic. In the Capitol building itself, guards in full camouflage and carrying assault rifles assembled, some of them grabbing naps early Wednesday under the ornate statues and historical paintings. Trump survived a first impeachment almost exactly a year ago when the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him of abusing his office to try and get dirt on Biden's family before the election. This time, his downfall was triggered by a speech he delivered to a crowd on the National Mall on January 6, telling them that Biden had stolen the presidential election and that they needed to march on Congress and show "strength." Amped up on weeks of election conspiracy theories pushed by Trump, the mob then stormed into the Capitol, fatally wounded one police officer, wrecked furniture and forced terrified lawmakers to hide, interrupting a ceremony to put the legal stamp on Biden's victory. One protester was shot dead, and three other people died of "medical emergencies," bringing the toll to five. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the chamber that Trump "must go." "He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love," she said. And Democratic lawmaker Ilhan Omar branded Trump a "tyrant," saying that "for us to able to survive as a functioning democracy there has to be accountability." But Nancy Mace, a newly-elected Republican congresswoman said that while lawmakers "need to hold the president accountable," the speed of the impeachment "poses great questions about the constitutionality." The top Republican in the House, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, said that while Trump deserves censure, hurriedly impeaching will "further divide this nation." - McConnell open to impeachment - Trump, who has been stripped of his social media megaphones by Twitter and Facebook, and finds himself increasingly ostracized in the business world, is struggling to impose his message -- let alone any kind of resistance. His refusal to accept any responsibility for the horrifying scenes on January 6 -- including his insistence Tuesday that his speech was "totally appropriate" -- has infuriated allies and opponents alike. The main question now is to what extent former Republican allies in the Senate will turn on their party's figurehead. Last year, they acquitted Trump overwhelmingly after the House impeached him for abuse of office. Powerful Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell has made clear there is no time before Trump's January 20 exit to hold an impeachment trial, given that the Senate is in recess until January 19. However, he said Wednesday that he was open to the possibility of voting to convict Trump in a trial, which could still be held after Biden takes over. "I have not made a final decision on how I will vote and I intend to listen to the legal arguments when they are presented to the Senate," McConnell said. The New York Times reported Tuesday that McConnell is signalling privately that he believes Trump did commit impeachable offences. This presents a potentially fatal shift in the ground under Trump's feet because it could lead other Republican senators to join in convicting Trump with the goal of turning the page in the turbulent relationship between the party and former reality TV host and real estate magnate. Meanwhile, the increasingly toothless Trump's social media woes deepened late Tuesday when video-sharing giant YouTube said it was suspending his official account for at least a week, out of concern his videos could incite violence. He is also being cut out by the business world, threatening his financial future once he leaves the White House. The latest blow to the Trump empire was when the mayor of his native New York City, Bill de Blasio, announced Wednesday a termination of contracts to run a golf course, two ice-skating rinks and a carousel in Central Park. "New York City doesn't do business with insurrectionists," de Blasio, a Democrat, tweeted.

Donald Trump becomes the first US president to be impeached for a second time

The House of Representatives is on track to impeach President Trump for the second time in 13 months — which would make him as the only president to receive the rebuke twice.

The Democrat-controlled US House of Representatives&nbsp;opened debate on&nbsp;second impeachment of President Donald Trump over his supporters' attack of the Capitol that left five dead. 
 
The impeachment resolution on the House floor includes one article, citing "incitement of insurrection," is being debated on the House floor.

Lawmakers in the lower chamber are expected to vote for impeachment around 3:00 pm marking the formal opening of proceedings against Trump.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mike-pence-rejects-invoking-25th-amendment-as-democrats-move-to-impeach-trump-356339">Also read | Mike Pence rejects invoking 25th Amendment as Democrats move to impeach Trump</a>

The extraordinary procedure against the US President came days after the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, an unprecedented attack on American democracy that stunned many world leaders and US allies. 
Trump still remains defiant, refusing to accept responsibility for his campaign to undermine Americans' belief in the election system and his final, fiery speech on the Mall.

But his once seemingly unbreakable grip on Republicans is eroding as leaders run out of patience -- and look to a post-Trump rebuilding of their party.

Vice President Mike Pence threw Trump a lifeline on Tuesday, saying he would not invoke the 25th Amendment that allows him and the Cabinet to strip a sitting president of his powers. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-is-a-criminal-and-political-pyromaniac-who-should-be-sent-to-criminal-court-luxembourgs-foreign-minister-356452">Also read | Trump is a 'criminal' and 'political pyromaniac who should be sent to criminal court': Luxembourg's Foreign Minister</a>

But impeachment on the single charge of "incitement of insurrection" is all but assured to pass. A vote has been scheduled for around 3:00 pm (2000 GMT).

Trump, who has been stripped of his social media megaphones by Twitter and Facebook, and finds himself increasingly ostracized in the business world, is struggling to impose his message -- let alone any kind of resistance.

On a quick trip to Texas on Tuesday he visited the US-Mexico border wall, which he regards as one of his biggest achievements. But the brief, low-energy speech he made there did nothing to recapture his rapidly sliding momentum.

His insistence that his infamous speech to the crowd had been "totally appropriate" and that he bore no blame infuriated allies and opponents alike. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The House of Representatives is on track to impeach President Trump for the second time in 13 months — which would make him as the only president to receive the rebuke twice.

The House of Representatives is on track to impeach President Trump for the second time in 13 months — which would make him as the only president to receive the rebuke twice. The Democrat-controlled US House of Representatives opened debate on second impeachment of President Donald Trump over his supporters' attack of the Capitol that left five dead. The impeachment resolution on the House floor includes one article, citing "incitement of insurrection," is being debated on the House floor. Lawmakers in the lower chamber are expected to vote for impeachment around 3:00 pm marking the formal opening of proceedings against Trump. Also read | Mike Pence rejects invoking 25th Amendment as Democrats move to impeach Trump The extraordinary procedure against the US President came days after the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, an unprecedented attack on American democracy that stunned many world leaders and US allies. Trump still remains defiant, refusing to accept responsibility for his campaign to undermine Americans' belief in the election system and his final, fiery speech on the Mall. But his once seemingly unbreakable grip on Republicans is eroding as leaders run out of patience -- and look to a post-Trump rebuilding of their party. Vice President Mike Pence threw Trump a lifeline on Tuesday, saying he would not invoke the 25th Amendment that allows him and the Cabinet to strip a sitting president of his powers. Also read | Trump is a 'criminal' and 'political pyromaniac who should be sent to criminal court': Luxembourg's Foreign Minister But impeachment on the single charge of "incitement of insurrection" is all but assured to pass. A vote has been scheduled for around 3:00 pm (2000 GMT). Trump, who has been stripped of his social media megaphones by Twitter and Facebook, and finds himself increasingly ostracized in the business world, is struggling to impose his message -- let alone any kind of resistance. On a quick trip to Texas on Tuesday he visited the US-Mexico border wall, which he regards as one of his biggest achievements. But the brief, low-energy speech he made there did nothing to recapture his rapidly sliding momentum. His insistence that his infamous speech to the crowd had been "totally appropriate" and that he bore no blame infuriated allies and opponents alike. (With inputs from agencies)

House of Representatives poised to impeach Trump for ‘incitement of insurrection’

Winners and losers from impeachment and acquittal of Donald Trump

A new presidential record for activity on Twitter is set by the impeached <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-accuse-trump-at-impeachment-trial-of-corrupt-scheme-to-pressure-ukraine-276105">US President Donald Trump</a>. Tweeting and retweeting on his favourite social media app, the President ranted at length about the Senate impeachment trial, the Democrats who want to replace him and other unusual things.

According to Factba.se, a service that compiles and analyzes data on the President, Trump had barrelled through his previous record of 123 Twitter posts in a day that he had set a little over a month ago by 4:25 pm (21:25 GMT).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-trump-set-to-add-couple-of-countries-on-travel-ban-list-275988">Also read: Now, Trump set to add 'couple of countries' on travel ban list</a>

On December 12, 2019, when the House Judiciary Committee opened its marathon session to approve two<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-a-witch-hunt-frankly-its-disgraceful-trump-at-davos-275978"> Articles of Impeachment against the President</a> was the day Trump set his previous record for tweets on a single day. Citing research from Factba.se, January 2015 was when Trump set his all-time record for tweets in a day before becoming President. Most of his tweets were dedicated to plugging his reality television show.

<img alt="Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="03bc36f9-2311-46b1-b830-0cd418fbdfcb" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/trump.JPG" />

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greta-thunberg-ought-to-focus-on-other-countries-says-trump-at-davos-275938">POTUS started his Wednesday morning in Davos</a>, Switzerland where he was attending the World Economic Forum and hammered out 41 tweets between 12 am and 1 am (17:00 and 18:00 GMT) in Washington, DC (6 am to 7 am in Davos).

Haranguing the Democrats over his impeachment trial constituted the vast majority of his posts, which his adoring base of 71 million followers enjoyed in the form of retweets of messages, videos and images from Republican legislators.

Ripping into Representative Adam Schiff, one of the House Democratic impeachment managers was a large chunk of Trump's tweets. The centrepiece of it all was a retweet of a provocative image posted by White House social media director Dan Scavino that shows Trump walking in front of a fiery scene meant to symbolise the incineration of the "Deep State".

The record-breaking re-tweet came from Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who announced a new podcast about the Impeachment trial, Factba.se stated.

A new presidential record for activity on Twitter is set by the impeached US President Donald Trump. Tweeting and retweeting on his favourite social media app, the President ranted at length about the Senate impeachment trial, the Democrats who want to replace him and other unusual things.

A new presidential record for activity on Twitter is set by the impeached US President Donald Trump. Tweeting and retweeting on his favourite social media app, the President ranted at length about the Senate impeachment trial, the Democrats who want to replace him and other unusual things. According to Factba.se, a service that compiles and analyzes data on the President, Trump had barrelled through his previous record of 123 Twitter posts in a day that he had set a little over a month ago by 4:25 pm (21:25 GMT). Also read: Now, Trump set to add 'couple of countries' on travel ban list On December 12, 2019, when the House Judiciary Committee opened its marathon session to approve two Articles of Impeachment against the President was the day Trump set his previous record for tweets on a single day. Citing research from Factba.se, January 2015 was when Trump set his all-time record for tweets in a day before becoming President. Most of his tweets were dedicated to plugging his reality television show. The POTUS started his Wednesday morning in Davos, Switzerland where he was attending the World Economic Forum and hammered out 41 tweets between 12 am and 1 am (17:00 and 18:00 GMT) in Washington, DC (6 am to 7 am in Davos). Haranguing the Democrats over his impeachment trial constituted the vast majority of his posts, which his adoring base of 71 million followers enjoyed in the form of retweets of messages, videos and images from Republican legislators. Ripping into Representative Adam Schiff, one of the House Democratic impeachment managers was a large chunk of Trump's tweets. The centrepiece of it all was a retweet of a provocative image posted by White House social media director Dan Scavino that shows Trump walking in front of a fiery scene meant to symbolise the incineration of the "Deep State". The record-breaking re-tweet came from Republican Senator Ted Cruz, who announced a new podcast about the Impeachment trial, Factba.se stated.

125 tweets in a day — Donald Trump floods Twitter with impeachment proceedings

From his mountain perch at the Davos conference on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump saw only a perfect world.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greta-thunberg-ought-to-focus-on-other-countries-says-trump-at-davos-275938">Also Read:&nbsp;Greta Thunberg ought to focus on other countries, says Trump at Davos</a>

Back in Washington, the Senate was about to enter the heart of the impeachment trial threatening his presidency.

In the Swiss Alps, campaigners warned that climate change threatened the future of the planet itself.

But for the 45th US president, life was as sunny as the blazing white ski slopes flanking the mountains outside the conference centre.

Worried by impeachment?

That is "just a hoax", he told reporters.

"It's the witch hunt that's been going on for years and frankly it's disgraceful," he said.

Worried by global warming? Trump scoffed again.

"We must reject the perennial prophets of doom and their predictions of the apocalypse," he told a room of the elite business and political types who attend the Davos forum every year.

That organisers picked climate change as one of the session's main themes and that teenage campaigner Greta Thunberg was in the crowd did not faze Trump.

"Fear and doubt is not a good thought process," he said. "This is a time for tremendous hope and joy and optimism and action."

In Washington, fear and loathing were more the order of the day.

Trump's Republican party is all but certain to secure his acquittal on charges of abusing his power and obstructing Congress.&nbsp;

But even before senators kicked off the full-fledged part of the trial, the air was thick with Democratic accusations of cover-ups and Republican complaints about presidential harassment.

Even if Trump is acquitted, the turmoil will have unpredictable effects on an already rancorous reelection campaign. Trump will also have the stain of impeachment on his record.&nbsp;

But whether on impeachment or the climate change that scientists agree imperils humanity, Trump seemed determined to see the world through his Trump-tinted glasses.

"America is thriving, America is flourishing, and yes, America is winning again like never before," he said in a speech that sounded more like a domestic campaign address -- minus the swearing, the insults and eccentric rants about poor-quality toilet flushing and other tidbits that delight his supporters.

The applause in Davos was polite but notably quieter than Trump expects at home.

"I have never been to a session where the applause was so weak for a major public figure," said Noble prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, a frequent Trump critic who was in the room.

"It was clear that they didn't want to boo. That would have been out of tune with the spirit of Davos, but it was clear that he was out of tune with the spirit of Davos."

Not that Trump showed any sign of caring.

Whether it was the heart-stopping vista outside, the high altitude air, or just his New York real estate salesman's sense of showmanship, this wasn't a day when he was going to let the doomsters get him down.

"I thought it was very well-received," he told reporters after his speech.

"We're doing very well."

From his mountain perch at the Davos conference on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump saw only a perfect world. Also Read: Greta Thunberg ought to focus on other countries, says Trump at Davos Back in Washington, the Senate was about to enter the heart of the impeachment trial threatening his presidency.

From his mountain perch at the Davos conference on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump saw only a perfect world. Also Read: Greta Thunberg ought to focus on other countries, says Trump at Davos Back in Washington, the Senate was about to enter the heart of the impeachment trial threatening his presidency. In the Swiss Alps, campaigners warned that climate change threatened the future of the planet itself. But for the 45th US president, life was as sunny as the blazing white ski slopes flanking the mountains outside the conference centre. Worried by impeachment? That is "just a hoax", he told reporters. "It's the witch hunt that's been going on for years and frankly it's disgraceful," he said. Worried by global warming? Trump scoffed again. "We must reject the perennial prophets of doom and their predictions of the apocalypse," he told a room of the elite business and political types who attend the Davos forum every year. That organisers picked climate change as one of the session's main themes and that teenage campaigner Greta Thunberg was in the crowd did not faze Trump. "Fear and doubt is not a good thought process," he said. "This is a time for tremendous hope and joy and optimism and action." In Washington, fear and loathing were more the order of the day. Trump's Republican party is all but certain to secure his acquittal on charges of abusing his power and obstructing Congress. But even before senators kicked off the full-fledged part of the trial, the air was thick with Democratic accusations of cover-ups and Republican complaints about presidential harassment. Even if Trump is acquitted, the turmoil will have unpredictable effects on an already rancorous reelection campaign. Trump will also have the stain of impeachment on his record. But whether on impeachment or the climate change that scientists agree imperils humanity, Trump seemed determined to see the world through his Trump-tinted glasses. "America is thriving, America is flourishing, and yes, America is winning again like never before," he said in a speech that sounded more like a domestic campaign address -- minus the swearing, the insults and eccentric rants about poor-quality toilet flushing and other tidbits that delight his supporters. The applause in Davos was polite but notably quieter than Trump expects at home. "I have never been to a session where the applause was so weak for a major public figure," said Noble prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, a frequent Trump critic who was in the room. "It was clear that they didn't want to boo. That would have been out of tune with the spirit of Davos, but it was clear that he was out of tune with the spirit of Davos." Not that Trump showed any sign of caring. Whether it was the heart-stopping vista outside, the high altitude air, or just his New York real estate salesman's sense of showmanship, this wasn't a day when he was going to let the doomsters get him down. "I thought it was very well-received," he told reporters after his speech. "We're doing very well."

Impeachment a witch hunt,  frankly it's disgraceful: Trump at Davos

Former US national security adviser(NSA) John Bolton in a statement said that if the US Senate issues a subpoena for his testimony in President impeachment proceedings.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-all-high-crimes-and-misdemeanors-can-trump-be-impeached-for-266623">In Pics: What all 'high crimes and misdemeanors' can Trump be impeached for?</a>

"I have had to resolve the serious competing issues as best I could, based on careful consideration and study. I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify," Bolton said in a prepared statement posted on Twitter.

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I have posted a brief statement regarding testimony on the Ukraine impeachment matter before the Senate at: <a href="https://t.co/Q3TwI2BzBp">https://t.co/Q3TwI2BzBp</a>
— John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmbJohnBolton/status/1214227975262146561?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Bolton was fired as NSA by President Trump last September. The White House had earlier claimed "executive privilege" to prevent Mick Mulvaney, Bolton, Michael Duffey and Robert Blair from testifying before the House.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">Also Read: US Senate in stalemate over how to proceed</a>

"The House has concluded its Constitutional responsibility by adopting Articles of Impeachment related to the Ukraine matter," Bolton said, adding, "it now falls to the Senate to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to try impeachments, and it does not appear possible that a final judicial resolution of the still-unanswered Constitutional questions can be obtained before the Senate acts."

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had earlier sought testimony from John Bolton in the impeachment trial. Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff had also called Bolton to testify earlier.

However, the former US NSA had refused to testify even as his lawyer said he could provide new insights into the case.

"Bolton is an important witness to misconduct involving Ukraine that he called a 'drug deal," Schiff said. "Bolton refused to testify in the House, following Trump's orders," he said.

"Now he is willing to come forward," he said. "The Senate must allow testimony from him, Mulvaney and others. The cover-up must end," Schiff added.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is yet to allow the charges against Trump to be submitted to the Senate. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate.

Trump has dimissed the impeachment trial asserting that he has done nothing wrong calling it "partisan".

Former US national security adviser(NSA) John Bolton in a statement said that if the US Senate issues a subpoena for his testimony in President impeachment proceedings.

Former US national security adviser(NSA) John Bolton in a statement said that if the US Senate issues a subpoena for his testimony in President impeachment proceedings. In Pics: What all 'high crimes and misdemeanors' can Trump be impeached for? "I have had to resolve the serious competing issues as best I could, based on careful consideration and study. I have concluded that, if the Senate issues a subpoena for my testimony, I am prepared to testify," Bolton said in a prepared statement posted on Twitter. I have posted a brief statement regarding testimony on the Ukraine impeachment matter before the Senate at: https://t.co/Q3TwI2BzBp — John Bolton (@AmbJohnBolton) January 6, 2020 × Bolton was fired as NSA by President Trump last September. The White House had earlier claimed "executive privilege" to prevent Mick Mulvaney, Bolton, Michael Duffey and Robert Blair from testifying before the House. Also Read: US Senate in stalemate over how to proceed "The House has concluded its Constitutional responsibility by adopting Articles of Impeachment related to the Ukraine matter," Bolton said, adding, "it now falls to the Senate to fulfill its Constitutional obligation to try impeachments, and it does not appear possible that a final judicial resolution of the still-unanswered Constitutional questions can be obtained before the Senate acts." Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer had earlier sought testimony from John Bolton in the impeachment trial. Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff had also called Bolton to testify earlier. However, the former US NSA had refused to testify even as his lawyer said he could provide new insights into the case. "Bolton is an important witness to misconduct involving Ukraine that he called a 'drug deal," Schiff said. "Bolton refused to testify in the House, following Trump's orders," he said. "Now he is willing to come forward," he said. "The Senate must allow testimony from him, Mulvaney and others. The cover-up must end," Schiff added. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is yet to allow the charges against Trump to be submitted to the Senate. Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate. Trump has dimissed the impeachment trial asserting that he has done nothing wrong calling it "partisan".

I am prepared to testify in Trump impeachment trial: John Bolton

US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-against-trump-absolutely-on-made-up-grounds-putin-269164">Donald Trump</a> has demanded an immediate trial from Democrats after the timing of the Senate hearing was cast into doubt just a day after the House impeached a president for only the third time in history.

"So after the Democrats gave me no Due Process in the House, no lawyers, no witnesses, no nothing, they now want to tell the Senate how to run their trial. They have zero proof of anything, they will never even show up. They want out. I want an immediate trial!" Trump tweeted on Thursday (local time).

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So after the Democrats gave me no Due Process in the House, no lawyers, no witnesses, no nothing, they now want to tell the Senate how to run their trial. Actually, they have zero proof of anything, they will never even show up. They want out. I want an immediate trial!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1207817078725578755?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Sputnik reported that Trump tweeted, apparently responding to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's purported indecisiveness to continue with the impeachment trial in the US Senate.

The President also asserted that Republicans have never been so united.

"The House Democrats were unable to get even a single vote from the Republicans on their Impeachment Hoax. The Republicans have never been so united! The Dem' s case is so bad that they don`t even want to go to trial!" Trump said in another tweet.&nbsp;

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The House Democrats were unable to get even a single vote from the Republicans on their Impeachment Hoax. The Republicans have never been so united! The Dem’s case is so bad that they don’t even want to go to trial!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1207821957988835329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, Trump had once again hit out at House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying that she is afraid to present her "phony impeachment hoax" to the Senate."Pelosi feels her phony impeachment HOAX is so pathetic she is afraid to present it to the Senate, which can set a date and put this whole SCAM into default if they refuse to show up! The Do Nothings are so bad for our Country!" Trump had said in a tweet.

US House of Representative on Wednesday voted to support the two articles of impeachment against President Trump.

The trail in the Republican-controlled Senate is likely to begin in January, Al Jazeera reported. However, that is only after House Democrats send articles of impeachment to the Senate.

(With inputs from ANI)

US President Donald Trump has demanded an immediate trial from Democrats after the timing of the Senate hearing was cast into doubt just a day after the House impeached a president for only the third time in history.

US President Donald Trump has demanded an immediate trial from Democrats after the timing of the Senate hearing was cast into doubt just a day after the House impeached a president for only the third time in history. "So after the Democrats gave me no Due Process in the House, no lawyers, no witnesses, no nothing, they now want to tell the Senate how to run their trial. They have zero proof of anything, they will never even show up. They want out. I want an immediate trial!" Trump tweeted on Thursday (local time). So after the Democrats gave me no Due Process in the House, no lawyers, no witnesses, no nothing, they now want to tell the Senate how to run their trial. Actually, they have zero proof of anything, they will never even show up. They want out. I want an immediate trial! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2019 × Sputnik reported that Trump tweeted, apparently responding to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's purported indecisiveness to continue with the impeachment trial in the US Senate. The President also asserted that Republicans have never been so united. "The House Democrats were unable to get even a single vote from the Republicans on their Impeachment Hoax. The Republicans have never been so united! The Dem' s case is so bad that they don`t even want to go to trial!" Trump said in another tweet. The House Democrats were unable to get even a single vote from the Republicans on their Impeachment Hoax. The Republicans have never been so united! The Dem’s case is so bad that they don’t even want to go to trial! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 20, 2019 × Earlier, Trump had once again hit out at House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying that she is afraid to present her "phony impeachment hoax" to the Senate."Pelosi feels her phony impeachment HOAX is so pathetic she is afraid to present it to the Senate, which can set a date and put this whole SCAM into default if they refuse to show up! The Do Nothings are so bad for our Country!" Trump had said in a tweet. US House of Representative on Wednesday voted to support the two articles of impeachment against President Trump. The trail in the Republican-controlled Senate is likely to begin in January, Al Jazeera reported. However, that is only after House Democrats send articles of impeachment to the Senate. (With inputs from ANI)

Democrats have no proof, I want an immediate trial: Trump on impeachment proceedings

Just hours after the US House of Representatives voted to<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-votes-to-impeach-trump-for-obstruction-of-congress-269040"> impeach President Trump</a>, Russian President Vladimir Putin at the year-end annual press conference said the US president's impeachment was based on "made-up grounds".

Donald Trump was impeached by the US House on two counts - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The abuse of power article was passed in the US House with a 230-197 vote and the obstruction article was passed with a 229-198 margin.

"It still needs to go through the Senate, where the Republicans have a majority," Putin said.

"And it is hardly likely that they are going to push out of office a representative of their own party, on grounds that are absolutely made-up," he added.

Reacting to the development, Trump at an election rally in Michigan said: "This lawless, partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the Democrat Party." The US president said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats had given themselves an "eternal mark of shame."&nbsp;

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-doesnt-feel-like-were-being-impeached-269123/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"They're the ones who should be impeached, every one of them," Trump said referring to the Democrats. The impeachment articles will now be presented before the Senate next month where Republicans are in majority.

White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump would be "fully exonerated." The president went a step ahead on Twitter and pinned a tweet which said, "in reality, they are not after me, they're after you."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a tweet said that "no one is above the law, Mr President," pointing towards Trump.&nbsp;

Just hours after the US House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin at the year-end annual press conference said the US president's impeachment was based on "made-up grounds".

Just hours after the US House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin at the year-end annual press conference said the US president's impeachment was based on "made-up grounds". Donald Trump was impeached by the US House on two counts - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The abuse of power article was passed in the US House with a 230-197 vote and the obstruction article was passed with a 229-198 margin. "It still needs to go through the Senate, where the Republicans have a majority," Putin said. "And it is hardly likely that they are going to push out of office a representative of their own party, on grounds that are absolutely made-up," he added. Reacting to the development, Trump at an election rally in Michigan said: "This lawless, partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the Democrat Party." The US president said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats had given themselves an "eternal mark of shame." Watch Video: "They're the ones who should be impeached, every one of them," Trump said referring to the Democrats. The impeachment articles will now be presented before the Senate next month where Republicans are in majority. White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said Trump would be "fully exonerated." The president went a step ahead on Twitter and pinned a tweet which said, "in reality, they are not after me, they're after you." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a tweet said that "no one is above the law, Mr President," pointing towards Trump.

Impeachment against Trump absolutely on made-up grounds: Putin

The dollar took US&nbsp;President Donald Trump's impeachment in stride on Thursday while its Australian counterpart rallied after a surprise fall in the country's unemployment rate. The British pound&nbsp;remained under pressure on renewed fears of a chaotic exit from the European Union. It was last at $1.3081 after sliding nearly 2 per cent&nbsp;in as many days.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/euro-steady-as-us-dollar-set-for-worst-week-since-october-266647">Dollar</a> traders were sanguine after a majority of lawmakers in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump.

The dollar was a shade firmer against the safe-haven yen&nbsp;at 109.56. An index that tracks the dollar against six major currencies hovered at 97.347, not far from a six-day high of 97.475 touched on Wednesday.

"It is unlikely that the Senate will support the motion when it votes in January, as is required to remove Trump from office," ANZ economists wrote in a note.

The Aussie dollar climbed as high as $0.6883 after the robust jobs data suggested the country's labour market might have enough life in it to lessen the need for more interest rate cuts. It was last at $0.6878.

In New Zealand, better-than-expected third-quarter economic growth data sent the kiwi dollar&nbsp;bouncing off a one-week low at $0.6592.

Risk sensitive currencies such as the Aussie and the kiwi started December on a firm footing after a preliminary US-China <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/us-china-trade-conflict-lack-of-trust-hobbling-the-ability-to-reach-a-deal-198533">trade deal</a> and a landslide Conservative election win in the UK removed two major uncertainties hanging over markets.

However, fears have resurfaced this week as the spectre of US-led <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/trade-war-goes-digital-countries-eye-tariffs-on-internet-economy-266783">tariff war</a> has not completely disappeared with traders awaiting more details on the "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/phase-one-trade-deal-reached-with-us-china-268186">phase one</a>" deal with Beijing.

US&nbsp;Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Tuesday that the United States may raise tariffs on European goods as it tries to shrink its chronic trade deficit with the continent, re-igniting worries of the prospects of the export-driven euro.

The euro&nbsp;held close to Wednesday's trough of $1.1109 against the dollar, shrugging off a better-than-expected survey of German business morale. It was last at $1.1126.

"The most significant piece of news overnight has been the German December IFO survey, which... has shown evidence that the German economy may be in the process of pulling itself up by its boot straps," said Ray Attrill, Sydney-based head of forex strategy at National Australia Bank.

"Improvement in the German – and broader Eurozone – economy – is fundamental to our expectation for a softer US&nbsp;dollar and stronger Euro next year."

Markets will focus on interest rate decisions from the Bank of England, which is seen unlikely to change policy. At its previous meeting, two of the central bank's nine policymakers voted to cut interest rates.

The dollar took US President Donald Trump's impeachment in stride on Thursday while its Australian counterpart rallied after a surprise fall in the country's unemployment rate.

The dollar took US President Donald Trump's impeachment in stride on Thursday while its Australian counterpart rallied after a surprise fall in the country's unemployment rate. The British pound remained under pressure on renewed fears of a chaotic exit from the European Union. It was last at $1.3081 after sliding nearly 2 per cent in as many days. Dollar traders were sanguine after a majority of lawmakers in the US House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump. The dollar was a shade firmer against the safe-haven yen at 109.56. An index that tracks the dollar against six major currencies hovered at 97.347, not far from a six-day high of 97.475 touched on Wednesday. "It is unlikely that the Senate will support the motion when it votes in January, as is required to remove Trump from office," ANZ economists wrote in a note. The Aussie dollar climbed as high as $0.6883 after the robust jobs data suggested the country's labour market might have enough life in it to lessen the need for more interest rate cuts. It was last at $0.6878. In New Zealand, better-than-expected third-quarter economic growth data sent the kiwi dollar bouncing off a one-week low at $0.6592. Risk sensitive currencies such as the Aussie and the kiwi started December on a firm footing after a preliminary US-China trade deal and a landslide Conservative election win in the UK removed two major uncertainties hanging over markets. However, fears have resurfaced this week as the spectre of US-led tariff war has not completely disappeared with traders awaiting more details on the "phase one" deal with Beijing. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said on Tuesday that the United States may raise tariffs on European goods as it tries to shrink its chronic trade deficit with the continent, re-igniting worries of the prospects of the export-driven euro. The euro held close to Wednesday's trough of $1.1109 against the dollar, shrugging off a better-than-expected survey of German business morale. It was last at $1.1126. "The most significant piece of news overnight has been the German December IFO survey, which... has shown evidence that the German economy may be in the process of pulling itself up by its boot straps," said Ray Attrill, Sydney-based head of forex strategy at National Australia Bank. "Improvement in the German – and broader Eurozone – economy – is fundamental to our expectation for a softer US dollar and stronger Euro next year." Markets will focus on interest rate decisions from the Bank of England, which is seen unlikely to change policy. At its previous meeting, two of the central bank's nine policymakers voted to cut interest rates.

Dollar barely flinches after Trump impeachment, Aussie jumps on solid jobs data

Madonna riled up her audience during a concert in Philadelphia on Tuesday (December 10), by finishing off a monologue about history and freedoms with "I say, impeach Donald Trump".

The singer started off by saying "So, Philadelphia, very important historical city. So many important things have happened here. Right? The Constitution. The Bill of Rights. Declaration of Independence."

She went on to say, "right now our head of state is not supporting the Constitution, and all the things that we stand for, and believe in, and that America was founded on."

US&nbsp;lawmakers moved closer on Thursday to impeach Republican President Donald Trump, as members of a House of Representatives committee debated formal charges that are likely to be sent to the full House for a final vote next week.

Madonna riled up her audience during a concert in Philadelphia on Tuesday (December 10), by finishing off a monologue about history and freedoms with "I say, impeach Donald Trump".

Madonna riled up her audience during a concert in Philadelphia on Tuesday (December 10), by finishing off a monologue about history and freedoms with "I say, impeach Donald Trump". The singer started off by saying "So, Philadelphia, very important historical city. So many important things have happened here. Right? The Constitution. The Bill of Rights. Declaration of Independence." She went on to say, "right now our head of state is not supporting the Constitution, and all the things that we stand for, and believe in, and that America was founded on." US lawmakers moved closer on Thursday to impeach Republican President Donald Trump, as members of a House of Representatives committee debated formal charges that are likely to be sent to the full House for a final vote next week.

Madonna at concert: I say, impeach Donald Trump

Democrats in the United States House of Representatives today introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Trump has been charged with abusing power and obstructing Congress.

US Democrats introduce two articles of impeachment against Trump