In a 111-page document filed before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trumps-impeachment-trial-officialy-gets-underway-274778">Trump's Senate trial begins</a> in earnest on Tuesday, the lawmakers laid out their arguments supporting charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress against the president.

"The Senate should convict and remove President Trump to avoid serious and long term damage to our democratic values and the nation's security," the lawmakers said, for the first time formally calling for the Senate to convict the president and remove him from office.

"The case against the president of the United States is simple, the facts are indisputable, and the evidence is overwhelming," they said.

<img alt="45th US President Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f783268-83a5-4d7a-bb4d-8d51e494d17d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%288%29_13.jpg" /> 
[US President Donald Trump (Courtesy: WION Web Team) ]

The document was an appeal directly to the senators to be impartial. "History will judge each senator's willingness to rise above partisan differences, view the facts honestly and defend the Constitution," the managers said in a statement noting "the President is not a king."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-dream-team-meet-us-president-trumps-star-studded-legal-team-274978">Trump's legal team</a> issued a resounding rejection of the impeachment charges, which were read out in the Senate earlier in the week during formalities setting the stage for the trial. They are expected to release a longer, separate response to the Democrats' pretrial brief on Monday.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazen-and-unlawful-donald-trumps-legal-team-rejects-impeachment-charges-275143">'Brazen and unlawful': Donald Trump's legal team rejects impeachment charges</a>

<img alt="File Photo: Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0c15c550-c635-4775-8c64-91e5c2ebf1f2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_15.jpg" /> 
[President of the United States,&nbsp;Donald Trump (Courtesy: WION Web Team) ]

Rejecting the charges, Trump's lawyers reiterated the president's insistence, echoed by many of his fellow Republicans in Congress, that the charges are nothing more than a partisan attempt to remove him from office, a "dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president."

"This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election -&nbsp;now just months away," they argued in a six-page document released on Saturday.

It was the first time Trump formally responded to the two articles of impeachment - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress - that the Democratic-led House approved late last year.

Trump and Democratic lawmakers offered dueling arguments about the politically polarizing impeachment case involving Trump's attempt to persuade Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden last year.

"President Trump categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation in both articles of impeachment," the Trump lawyers' document said.

As well as the charge of abuse of office for pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, Trump is also accused of obstructing Congress in its investigation into his conduct by refusing to hand over documents and barring administration officials from testifying, even when subpoenaed by House investigators.

<img alt="File Photo: Donald Trump, 45th US President" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="887e6be4-d9e9-44b0-a81b-42164f1c2489" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_17.jpg" /> 
[ Donald Trump, 45th US President (CourtesyL WION Web Team) ]

The document filed by the Democratic House impeachment managers on Saturday explained why the House passed the two articles of impeachment, and listed evidence supporting the charges.

The evidence included references to information released in the past few days from Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, who was involved in Giuliani's contacts with Ukraine's government.

It also included a finding on Thursday by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) that Trump broke the law when he withheld military aid that Congress had designated for Ukraine. Trump is charged with withholding the $391 million in security assistance to put pressure on Kiev to announce an investigation of the Bidens, to boost his 2020 re-election prospects.

“An acquittal would also provide license to President Trump and his successors to use taxpayer dollars for personal political ends,” the Democratic lawmakers' brief said.

Trump has denied wrongdoing.

The trial in the Republican-led Senate is unlikely to lead to Trump's ouster, as no Republican senators have voiced support for doing so and a two-thirds majority vote is required to convict.

Trump, at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, for the weekend, played a round of golf on Saturday.

The Trump lawyers, in their document, argued that the president acted at all times with full constitutional legal authority, said one of three sources close to Trump's legal team who briefed reporters on a conference call on Saturday.

"We will take the facts head-on and we believe that the facts will prove, and have proven, that the president did absolutely nothing wrong," the source said.

In a 111-page document filed before Trump's Senate trial begins in earnest on Tuesday, the lawmakers laid out their arguments supporting charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress against the president.

In a 111-page document filed before Trump's Senate trial begins in earnest on Tuesday, the lawmakers laid out their arguments supporting charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress against the president. "The Senate should convict and remove President Trump to avoid serious and long term damage to our democratic values and the nation's security," the lawmakers said, for the first time formally calling for the Senate to convict the president and remove him from office. "The case against the president of the United States is simple, the facts are indisputable, and the evidence is overwhelming," they said. [US President Donald Trump (Courtesy: WION Web Team) ] The document was an appeal directly to the senators to be impartial. "History will judge each senator's willingness to rise above partisan differences, view the facts honestly and defend the Constitution," the managers said in a statement noting "the President is not a king." Trump's legal team issued a resounding rejection of the impeachment charges, which were read out in the Senate earlier in the week during formalities setting the stage for the trial. They are expected to release a longer, separate response to the Democrats' pretrial brief on Monday. Also Read: 'Brazen and unlawful': Donald Trump's legal team rejects impeachment charges [President of the United States, Donald Trump (Courtesy: WION Web Team) ] Rejecting the charges, Trump's lawyers reiterated the president's insistence, echoed by many of his fellow Republicans in Congress, that the charges are nothing more than a partisan attempt to remove him from office, a "dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president." "This is a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election - now just months away," they argued in a six-page document released on Saturday. It was the first time Trump formally responded to the two articles of impeachment - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress - that the Democratic-led House approved late last year. Trump and Democratic lawmakers offered dueling arguments about the politically polarizing impeachment case involving Trump's attempt to persuade Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden last year. "President Trump categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation in both articles of impeachment," the Trump lawyers' document said. As well as the charge of abuse of office for pressuring Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, Trump is also accused of obstructing Congress in its investigation into his conduct by refusing to hand over documents and barring administration officials from testifying, even when subpoenaed by House investigators. [ Donald Trump, 45th US President (CourtesyL WION Web Team) ] The document filed by the Democratic House impeachment managers on Saturday explained why the House passed the two articles of impeachment, and listed evidence supporting the charges. The evidence included references to information released in the past few days from Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, who was involved in Giuliani's contacts with Ukraine's government. It also included a finding on Thursday by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) that Trump broke the law when he withheld military aid that Congress had designated for Ukraine. Trump is charged with withholding the $391 million in security assistance to put pressure on Kiev to announce an investigation of the Bidens, to boost his 2020 re-election prospects. “An acquittal would also provide license to President Trump and his successors to use taxpayer dollars for personal political ends,” the Democratic lawmakers' brief said. Trump has denied wrongdoing. The trial in the Republican-led Senate is unlikely to lead to Trump's ouster, as no Republican senators have voiced support for doing so and a two-thirds majority vote is required to convict. Trump, at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, for the weekend, played a round of golf on Saturday. The Trump lawyers, in their document, argued that the president acted at all times with full constitutional legal authority, said one of three sources close to Trump's legal team who briefed reporters on a conference call on Saturday. "We will take the facts head-on and we believe that the facts will prove, and have proven, that the president did absolutely nothing wrong," the source said.

In impeachment document, Democrats say Trump endangers security, president denies

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

U.S. house judiciary commitee votes on impeachment articles, may be Trump is the U.S. third president in history to be impeached

U.S. House commitee votes to impeach Donald Trump

Debate on impeachment articles underway on Donald Trump.

Debate on impeachment articles underway on 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&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 are expected to announce on Tuesday two articles of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-democrat-says-president-violated-oath-republicans-attack-probe-267302">impeachment against Donald Trump</a>, US media reported Monday evening, after laying out their case at a hearing against a president they branded a "clear and present danger" to national security.

The articles will focus on the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, The Washington Post said, citing three officials familiar with the matter.

It added that the full House of Representatives would vote on the articles next week, ahead of a trial in the Senate.

CNN said the third article on obstruction of justice was still being debated, and the network's sources cautioned that plans were still being finalized.

Four months after a whistleblower sparked the investigation of Trump for seeking illicit political favours from Ukraine, Democrats said at Monday's hearing there was abundant evidence that he had committed bribery, abused his power and obstructed the investigation.

"President Trump's persistent and continuing effort to coerce a foreign country to help him cheat to win an election is a clear and present danger to our free and fair elections and to our national security," said Daniel Goldman, counsel for the Democrats.

Facing an almost certain vote to make Trump the third American leader impeached and placed on trial, top Republican Doug Collins countered that the effort was simply "a good PR move" for Democrats ahead of next year's presidential elections.

"It's all political," Collins said. "Where's the impeachable offence? Why are we here?"

The allegations came in a contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing in which Republicans repeatedly punched back, while Trump himself denounced the inquiry as a "disgrace" and "hoax."

Fueling the partisan divisions in Washington, the Republicans marshalled a Department of Justice report released Monday as ammunition for a counteroffensive.

The DoJ's inspector general said its review of investigations into four Trump aides did not find evidence of "political bias" in the decisions to open the probes.

The report effectively rebutted Trump's repeated claims that the FBI illegally spied on his campaign -- but Republicans seized on its findings that the bureau committed "numerous serious factual errors" related to the investigations.

Tempers erupt

Tempers flared as Republicans tried to derail the hearing with procedural moves.

A lone protester was ejected after shouting in the president's defence — the first time such an outburst has occurred over the last month of public impeachment hearings.

"We voted for Donald Trump (and) Americans are sick of your impeachment scam," he shouted as he was removed by police. "Trump is innocent!"

The president is accused of abusing his powers by pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation into former vice president Joe Biden, his potential challenger in the 2020 election.

Trump also pressed Kiev to investigate a widely-dismissed allegation that the Ukraine government helped the Democrats in the 2016 election.

Barry Berke, an attorney for the Democrats, said there was "significant proof" of wrongdoing as he laid out the evidence collected by the House Intelligence Committee in a 10-week investigation.

"In the scheme to pressure Ukraine... the person at the centre of that scheme was President Donald Trump," he told the hearing.

Berke played videos of testimony by top US diplomats involved with Ukraine supporting the charges and footage of Trump claiming he has "the right to do whatever I want as president."

Witnesses produced documents "that provide uncontroverted, clear and overwhelming evidence that President Trump did this scheme," Berke said.

'Baloney'

Republican attorney Stephen Castor, tasked with disputing the evidence, said Democrats were simply attacking Trump for policies they do not agree with.

"Democrats are obsessed with impeaching the president," he said, calling evidence from the transcript of a July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky "baloney."

In that call, Trump told Zelensky he wanted "a favour," including an investigation of Biden and the 2016 conspiracy theory.

While Democrats have cried foul over the Biden attacks, Republicans said it was a conflict of interest at best that Biden's son Hunter served on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm while his father was US vice president.

"On this record, there is a legitimate basis for President Trump to have a concern about Hunter Biden's role on Burisma's board," Castor said. 
Castor also argued that Democrats needed to take more time to accumulate evidence and build their case.

Democrats rejected that argument, noting Trump has blocked his top advisors from testifying and refused to hand over White House records.

"There is a constitutional remedy for a president who undermines our national security and our elections, who puts his own interest before those of the country — that remedy is impeachment," said Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler.

That could see Trump stand trial in the Senate in January.

Given the solid Republican majority in the Senate and a two-thirds threshold for conviction, it is almost certain he will be acquitted.

Democrats are expected to announce on Tuesday two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, US media reported Monday evening, after laying out their case at a hearing against a president they branded a "clear and present danger" to national security.

Democrats are expected to announce on Tuesday two articles of impeachment against Donald Trump, US media reported Monday evening, after laying out their case at a hearing against a president they branded a "clear and present danger" to national security. The articles will focus on the abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, The Washington Post said, citing three officials familiar with the matter. It added that the full House of Representatives would vote on the articles next week, ahead of a trial in the Senate. CNN said the third article on obstruction of justice was still being debated, and the network's sources cautioned that plans were still being finalized. Four months after a whistleblower sparked the investigation of Trump for seeking illicit political favours from Ukraine, Democrats said at Monday's hearing there was abundant evidence that he had committed bribery, abused his power and obstructed the investigation. "President Trump's persistent and continuing effort to coerce a foreign country to help him cheat to win an election is a clear and present danger to our free and fair elections and to our national security," said Daniel Goldman, counsel for the Democrats. Facing an almost certain vote to make Trump the third American leader impeached and placed on trial, top Republican Doug Collins countered that the effort was simply "a good PR move" for Democrats ahead of next year's presidential elections. "It's all political," Collins said. "Where's the impeachable offence? Why are we here?" The allegations came in a contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing in which Republicans repeatedly punched back, while Trump himself denounced the inquiry as a "disgrace" and "hoax." Fueling the partisan divisions in Washington, the Republicans marshalled a Department of Justice report released Monday as ammunition for a counteroffensive. The DoJ's inspector general said its review of investigations into four Trump aides did not find evidence of "political bias" in the decisions to open the probes. The report effectively rebutted Trump's repeated claims that the FBI illegally spied on his campaign -- but Republicans seized on its findings that the bureau committed "numerous serious factual errors" related to the investigations. Tempers erupt Tempers flared as Republicans tried to derail the hearing with procedural moves. A lone protester was ejected after shouting in the president's defence — the first time such an outburst has occurred over the last month of public impeachment hearings. "We voted for Donald Trump (and) Americans are sick of your impeachment scam," he shouted as he was removed by police. "Trump is innocent!" The president is accused of abusing his powers by pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation into former vice president Joe Biden, his potential challenger in the 2020 election. Trump also pressed Kiev to investigate a widely-dismissed allegation that the Ukraine government helped the Democrats in the 2016 election. Barry Berke, an attorney for the Democrats, said there was "significant proof" of wrongdoing as he laid out the evidence collected by the House Intelligence Committee in a 10-week investigation. "In the scheme to pressure Ukraine... the person at the centre of that scheme was President Donald Trump," he told the hearing. Berke played videos of testimony by top US diplomats involved with Ukraine supporting the charges and footage of Trump claiming he has "the right to do whatever I want as president." Witnesses produced documents "that provide uncontroverted, clear and overwhelming evidence that President Trump did this scheme," Berke said. 'Baloney' Republican attorney Stephen Castor, tasked with disputing the evidence, said Democrats were simply attacking Trump for policies they do not agree with. "Democrats are obsessed with impeaching the president," he said, calling evidence from the transcript of a July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky "baloney." In that call, Trump told Zelensky he wanted "a favour," including an investigation of Biden and the 2016 conspiracy theory. While Democrats have cried foul over the Biden attacks, Republicans said it was a conflict of interest at best that Biden's son Hunter served on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm while his father was US vice president. "On this record, there is a legitimate basis for President Trump to have a concern about Hunter Biden's role on Burisma's board," Castor said. Castor also argued that Democrats needed to take more time to accumulate evidence and build their case. Democrats rejected that argument, noting Trump has blocked his top advisors from testifying and refused to hand over White House records. "There is a constitutional remedy for a president who undermines our national security and our elections, who puts his own interest before those of the country — that remedy is impeachment," said Judiciary Committee chairman Jerry Nadler. That could see Trump stand trial in the Senate in January. Given the solid Republican majority in the Senate and a two-thirds threshold for conviction, it is almost certain he will be acquitted.

Two impeachment articles expected against Trump: Reports

After <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-democrats-introduce-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-president-trump-267510">charges of impeachment</a> against Donald Trump were announced, he dismissed the accusations by calling them ''ridiculous''.

Trump might become the third United States president to be impeached if the House of Representatives back the charges.&nbsp;

He referred to this as a ''WITCH HUNT!".

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WITCH HUNT!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1204414691910410242?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Earlier, senior Democratic lawmaker Jerry Nadler announced the charges that Trump pressured Ukraine to open a corruption probe purely for the aim of embarrassing one of his 2020 reelection rivals.

"Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true," Trump tweeted.

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Nadler just said that I “pressured Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 Election.” Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true. Both the President &amp; Foreign Minister of Ukraine said, many times, that there “WAS NO PRESSURE.” Nadler and the Dems know this, but refuse to acknowledge!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1204414588650807302?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Separately, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham called the impeachment articles a "partisan, gratuitous, and pathetic attempt to overthrow the Trump Administration and the results of the 2016 election."

Democrats in the US House of Representatives today introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Trump has been charged with abusing power and obstructing Congress.

Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman said that '''(Trump) sees himself as above the law... We must be clear, no one, not even the president, is above the law.''

The committee is expected to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-expected-to-unveil-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267354">take up the articles</a> later this week in the next step of impeaching Trump.

(With inputs from AFP)

After charges of impeachment against Donald Trump were announced, he dismissed the accusations by calling them ''ridiculous''. Trump might become the third United States president to be impeached if the House of Representatives back the charges.

After charges of impeachment against Donald Trump were announced, he dismissed the accusations by calling them ''ridiculous''. Trump might become the third United States president to be impeached if the House of Representatives back the charges. He referred to this as a ''WITCH HUNT!". WITCH HUNT! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019 × Earlier, senior Democratic lawmaker Jerry Nadler announced the charges that Trump pressured Ukraine to open a corruption probe purely for the aim of embarrassing one of his 2020 reelection rivals. "Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true," Trump tweeted. Nadler just said that I “pressured Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 Election.” Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true. Both the President & Foreign Minister of Ukraine said, many times, that there “WAS NO PRESSURE.” Nadler and the Dems know this, but refuse to acknowledge! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 10, 2019 × Separately, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham called the impeachment articles a "partisan, gratuitous, and pathetic attempt to overthrow the Trump Administration and the results of the 2016 election." Democrats in the US House of Representatives today introduced two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Trump has been charged with abusing power and obstructing Congress. Jerrold Nadler, Judiciary Committee Chairman said that '''(Trump) sees himself as above the law... We must be clear, no one, not even the president, is above the law.'' The committee is expected to take up the articles later this week in the next step of impeaching Trump. (With inputs from AFP)

Trump refers to charges of impeachment as 'ridiculous'

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