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

The United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment charges against him and called for their immediate dismissal by the Senate, where the case is due very soon.&nbsp;

The Democratic-led House of Representatives' had charged Trump with the abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress.

Trump's 116-page-long Trial Memorandum is his first official defence against the charges.

Watch:&nbsp;Senate begins trial on Donald Trump's impeachment

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/senate-begins-trial-on-donald-trumps-impeachment-274877/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"The Senate should reject the Articles of Impeachment and acquit the president immediately," the memo mentioned.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnel had recently put forward rules to facilitate a quick impeachment trial, and offered no guarantee of admission of new witnesses and evidence.

<h6><img alt="oooo" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cf4364d8-99c5-47fd-b3a9-bfcd2730cc3d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_52.jpg" /> 
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (C) is handed a document while signing the articles of impeachment of US President Donald Trump during an engrossment ceremony on Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to transmit articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, opening the way for the historic trial of the 45th president for abuse of power | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

The resolution could face a vote today, with Trump's lawyers intending to seek dismissal of all charges.

According to the proposal put forth by the Republicans, the Senate is expected to vote on whether the material collected by the House would be valid in the trial.

Trump is the fourth of 45 American presidents to face an impeachment hearing. Allegedly, Trump had approached Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden, and stopping an enquiry into his whataboutery.

The Democrats claim that by withholding US military aid to Ukraine, Trump abused his power. 
 
Additionally, he allegedly obstructed Congress by denying access to documents and withholding testimonies from administration officials, and this was after the House had already issued a subpoena.&nbsp;

<h6><img alt="pppp" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6d6cb370-1219-4c8b-ad02-3d5b7dd1a69d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_59.jpg" /> 
US President Donald Trump departs the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2020 to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Trump's defence has reiterated that neither of the charges constitutes a crime or an impeachable offence, and that, as president, Trump has the rights to make foreign policy decisions as well as for deciding what information he gives to Congress. Additionally, his team called it a one-sided process.

Based on the defence memo, the theory of the abuse of power&nbsp;is not an impeachable offence and needs supplementary support from the US constitution's stature pertaining to ''Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanours''.

The memo also referred to the obstruction of Congress charge as ''frivolous and dangerous''.

The discourse of Trump's innocence and a rigged process was the memo's highlight, which suggested that this was an attempt to overturn Trump's 2016 victory and undemocratic. 
 
It's imperative to note that the Senate is highly unlikely to remove Trump office.

Read more: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-73-donald-trump-says-he-is-physically-strong-and-gets-more-exercise-than-people-think-275326">At 73, Donald Trump says he is 'physically strong' and gets 'more exercise than people think'</a>

(With inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment charges against him and called for their immediate dismissal by the Senate, where the case is due very soon.

The United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment charges against him and called for their immediate dismissal by the Senate, where the case is due very soon. The Democratic-led House of Representatives' had charged Trump with the abuse of power and the obstruction of Congress. Trump's 116-page-long Trial Memorandum is his first official defence against the charges. Watch: Senate begins trial on Donald Trump's impeachment "The Senate should reject the Articles of Impeachment and acquit the president immediately," the memo mentioned. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnel had recently put forward rules to facilitate a quick impeachment trial, and offered no guarantee of admission of new witnesses and evidence. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (C) is handed a document while signing the articles of impeachment of US President Donald Trump during an engrossment ceremony on Capitol Hill January 15, 2020, in Washington, DC. The US House of Representatives voted Wednesday to transmit articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump to the Senate, opening the way for the historic trial of the 45th president for abuse of power | AFP The resolution could face a vote today, with Trump's lawyers intending to seek dismissal of all charges. According to the proposal put forth by the Republicans, the Senate is expected to vote on whether the material collected by the House would be valid in the trial. Trump is the fourth of 45 American presidents to face an impeachment hearing. Allegedly, Trump had approached Ukrainian counterpart Zelensky to investigate his political rival Joe Biden, and stopping an enquiry into his whataboutery. The Democrats claim that by withholding US military aid to Ukraine, Trump abused his power. Additionally, he allegedly obstructed Congress by denying access to documents and withholding testimonies from administration officials, and this was after the House had already issued a subpoena. US President Donald Trump departs the White House in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2020 to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos | AFP Trump's defence has reiterated that neither of the charges constitutes a crime or an impeachable offence, and that, as president, Trump has the rights to make foreign policy decisions as well as for deciding what information he gives to Congress. Additionally, his team called it a one-sided process. Based on the defence memo, the theory of the abuse of power is not an impeachable offence and needs supplementary support from the US constitution's stature pertaining to ''Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanours''. The memo also referred to the obstruction of Congress charge as ''frivolous and dangerous''. The discourse of Trump's innocence and a rigged process was the memo's highlight, which suggested that this was an attempt to overturn Trump's 2016 victory and undemocratic. It's imperative to note that the Senate is highly unlikely to remove Trump office. Read more: At 73, Donald Trump says he is 'physically strong' and gets 'more exercise than people think' (With inputs from Reuters)

Trump's impeachment trial to begin in US Senate, his defence team calls for immediate acquittal

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will allow each side a total of 24 hours to present their arguments in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, but the time must be confined to two working days, according to the text of his organizing resolution. Arguments will begin January 21 at 1 PM, according to the rules McConnell laid out, setting up several long days for Senate jurors. The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. Please keep discussions on this channel clean and respectful and refrain from using racist or sexist slurs as well as personal insults. Subscribe to our channel at https://goo.gl/JfY3NI Check out our website: http://www.wionews.com Connect with us on our social media handles: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WIONews Twitter: https://twitter.com/WIONews Follow us on Google News for latest updates Follow us on Google News for latest updates WION: shorturl.at/fwKO0 Zee News English: shorturl.at/aJVY3 Zee News Hindi: shorturl.at/eorM1 Zee Business: shorturl.at/hpqX6 DNA News: shorturl.at/rBOY6 BGR: shorturl.at/eioqL

Trump's impeachment trial in Senate begins today

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will allow each side a total of 24 hours to present their arguments in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, but the time must be confined to two working days, according to the text of his organizing resolution. Arguments has begun begin in the senate. According to the rules McConnell laid out, setting up several long days for Senate jurors.

Trump's impeachment trial: Senators to lay ground rules today

The legal team of United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment hearings against their client. In the six-page document, his lawyers refer to the House of Representatives' impeachment efforts as a ''dangerous attack'' on Americans and their intrinsic right to vote.

Trump was recently impeached on account of&nbsp;two articles: ''abuse of power'' and the ''obstruction of Congress'', which was approved by the Democratic-led House last year.

The trial against Trump will begin on Tuesday in the Senate, which is mostly under the control of Republicans.

<h6><img alt="trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="16734523-9fc5-43a9-9b9d-11aa985d4ad9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_44.jpg" /> 
Image: Screenshot from the statement of Trump's legal team | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in the wrongdoings he's been accused of. He refers to the impeachment drive as an effort to undo his presidential victory.

In the Senate, Trump is expected not to get impeached, for no Republican senators yet have voiced support for the same.

The White House counsel is led by Pat Cipollone, who will get the support of Trump's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow. Ken Starr, the star-lawyer involved in Bill Clinton's impeachment in the 1990s has also joined the team. Celebrity lawyer Alan Dershowitz is also in Trump's dream-team.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/impeachment-dream-team-meet-us-president-trumps-star-studded-legal-team-274978">Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team</a>

In their response, Cipollone and Sekulow referred to the articles of impeachment as ''a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president''.

Further, in the six-page document, the team called the impeachment hearings "a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election".

Watch:&nbsp;Senate begins trial on Donald Trump's impeachment

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/senate-begins-trial-on-donald-trumps-impeachment-274877/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Trump is facing impeachment on the charges of abusing office especially in relation to the Ukraine scandal. He was accused of coercing Ukrainian authorities into investigating Joe Biden, a Democratic presidential candidate. He allegedly withheld aid worth $400 million to Ukraine. &nbsp;

Ukrainian counterpart President Volodymyr Zelensky has also denied the claims.

<h6><img alt="trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="77351d0c-8a38-4cd5-a98b-c33b5031ddee" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%282%29_41.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump make their way to board Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on January 17, 2020 | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

"The articles of impeachment are constitutionally invalid on their face. They fail to allege any crime or violation of law whatsoever," the defence team said.

On the other hand, the House managers, ie, the prosecutors called Trump's conduct ''the worst nightmare'' of those who framed the US constitution.

''President Trump abused the power of his office to solicit foreign interference in our elections for his own personal political gain, thereby jeopardizing our national security, the integrity of our elections, and our democracy'', the managers said in a statement.

(With inputs from AFP and Reuters)

The legal team of United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment hearings against their client. In the six-page document, his lawyers refer to the House of Representatives' impeachment efforts as a ''dangerous attack'' on Americans and their intrinsic right to vote.

The legal team of United States President Donald Trump yesterday rejected the impeachment hearings against their client. In the six-page document, his lawyers refer to the House of Representatives' impeachment efforts as a ''dangerous attack'' on Americans and their intrinsic right to vote. Trump was recently impeached on account of two articles: ''abuse of power'' and the ''obstruction of Congress'', which was approved by the Democratic-led House last year. The trial against Trump will begin on Tuesday in the Senate, which is mostly under the control of Republicans. Image: Screenshot from the statement of Trump's legal team | Reuters Trump has repeatedly denied any involvement in the wrongdoings he's been accused of. He refers to the impeachment drive as an effort to undo his presidential victory. In the Senate, Trump is expected not to get impeached, for no Republican senators yet have voiced support for the same. The White House counsel is led by Pat Cipollone, who will get the support of Trump's personal lawyer Jay Sekulow. Ken Starr, the star-lawyer involved in Bill Clinton's impeachment in the 1990s has also joined the team. Celebrity lawyer Alan Dershowitz is also in Trump's dream-team. Also read: Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team In their response, Cipollone and Sekulow referred to the articles of impeachment as ''a dangerous attack on the right of the American people to freely choose their president''. Further, in the six-page document, the team called the impeachment hearings "a brazen and unlawful attempt to overturn the results of the 2016 election and interfere with the 2020 election". Watch: Senate begins trial on Donald Trump's impeachment Trump is facing impeachment on the charges of abusing office especially in relation to the Ukraine scandal. He was accused of coercing Ukrainian authorities into investigating Joe Biden, a Democratic presidential candidate. He allegedly withheld aid worth $400 million to Ukraine. Ukrainian counterpart President Volodymyr Zelensky has also denied the claims. Image: US President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and son Barron Trump make their way to board Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on January 17, 2020 | AFP "The articles of impeachment are constitutionally invalid on their face. They fail to allege any crime or violation of law whatsoever," the defence team said. On the other hand, the House managers, ie, the prosecutors called Trump's conduct ''the worst nightmare'' of those who framed the US constitution. ''President Trump abused the power of his office to solicit foreign interference in our elections for his own personal political gain, thereby jeopardizing our national security, the integrity of our elections, and our democracy'', the managers said in a statement. (With inputs from AFP and Reuters)

'Brazen and unlawful': Donald Trump's legal team rejects impeachment charges

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

As the Donald Trump impeachment saga continues, all eyes are now fixated on the United States Senate as the trial is set to begin next week.

Meanwhile, the White House has now revealed Trump's all-star legal team for the Senate, which includes big names.

Trump’s defence team will include Alan Dershowitz, who is known for defending convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His team will also include Kenneth Starr, who paved the way for former United States President Bill Clinton's impeachment.

As the trial inches near, here's a look at this star-studded legal team who will now defend President Trump.

Alan Dershowitz, the famed constitutional expert is not unfamiliar with controversies.

<h6><img alt="impeachment" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="12f571ac-3aaf-4210-ab33-8ed14643de02" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%286%29_13.jpg" /> 
Image: In this file photo taken on December 11, 2019, Professor Alan Dershowitz listens to US President Donald Trump speak during a Hanukkah Reception in the East Room of the White House | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

He first gained fame as a member of OJ Simpson's defence team in the star's criminal trial in the mid-1990s. He has since defended many notable clients including the boxer Mike Tyson.

But his most famous case was that of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein where he defended him during the 2008 trial.

Another figure who was part of Epstein's legal team in 2008 is also on the panel. 
&nbsp; 
Kenneth Star, a former independent counsel, became a household name in the late 1990s.

Starr overlooked the investigation that finally led to Bill Clinton's impeachment in 1998.

Trump's ''dream team'' will be led by the White House counsel Pat Cipollone.

<h6><img alt="US" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7da08f5-fadb-4b1e-a2e9-2cb83cf47b3b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%287%29_12.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;Lawyer Pat Cipollone, White House Press Secretary Sarah H. Sanders and White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino listen during an event to celebrate the one year anniversary of the "Be Best" initiative in the Rose Garden of the White House May 7, 2019, in Washington, DC | AFP 
&nbsp;</h6>

Jay Sekulow, a longtime personal lawyer to Trump will lead the president’s impeachment defence team along with Pat.

Trump adviser Pam Bondi and former independent counsel Robert Ray will also be on this team.

One person who was not added to this team that will defend Trump is his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani who played a key role in the Ukraine investigation.

Trump was impeached last month in the US House of Representatives on charges of ''abuse of power'' and the ''obstruction of Congress''.

But as the trial now moves to the Senate, the fear remains that the controversies attached to both Starr and Dershowitz could now loom over the impeachment trial.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trumps-impeachment-trial-officialy-gets-underway-274778">US President Trump's impeachment trial officialy gets underway in Senate</a>

As the Donald Trump impeachment saga continues, all eyes are now fixated on the United States Senate as the trial is set to begin next week. Meanwhile, the White House has now revealed Trump's all-star legal team for the Senate, which includes big names.

As the Donald Trump impeachment saga continues, all eyes are now fixated on the United States Senate as the trial is set to begin next week. Meanwhile, the White House has now revealed Trump's all-star legal team for the Senate, which includes big names. Trump’s defence team will include Alan Dershowitz, who is known for defending convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. His team will also include Kenneth Starr, who paved the way for former United States President Bill Clinton's impeachment. As the trial inches near, here's a look at this star-studded legal team who will now defend President Trump. Alan Dershowitz, the famed constitutional expert is not unfamiliar with controversies. Image: In this file photo taken on December 11, 2019, Professor Alan Dershowitz listens to US President Donald Trump speak during a Hanukkah Reception in the East Room of the White House | AFP He first gained fame as a member of OJ Simpson's defence team in the star's criminal trial in the mid-1990s. He has since defended many notable clients including the boxer Mike Tyson. But his most famous case was that of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein where he defended him during the 2008 trial. Another figure who was part of Epstein's legal team in 2008 is also on the panel. Kenneth Star, a former independent counsel, became a household name in the late 1990s. Starr overlooked the investigation that finally led to Bill Clinton's impeachment in 1998. Trump's ''dream team'' will be led by the White House counsel Pat Cipollone. Image: Lawyer Pat Cipollone, White House Press Secretary Sarah H. Sanders and White House Social Media Director Dan Scavino listen during an event to celebrate the one year anniversary of the "Be Best" initiative in the Rose Garden of the White House May 7, 2019, in Washington, DC | AFP Jay Sekulow, a longtime personal lawyer to Trump will lead the president’s impeachment defence team along with Pat. Trump adviser Pam Bondi and former independent counsel Robert Ray will also be on this team. One person who was not added to this team that will defend Trump is his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani who played a key role in the Ukraine investigation. Trump was impeached last month in the US House of Representatives on charges of ''abuse of power'' and the ''obstruction of Congress''. But as the trial now moves to the Senate, the fear remains that the controversies attached to both Starr and Dershowitz could now loom over the impeachment trial. Also read: US President Trump's impeachment trial officialy gets underway in Senate

Impeachment dream team: Meet US President Trump's star-studded legal team

The US&nbsp;Senate remained at a stalemate on Friday over how to proceed with the impeachment trial of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/president-trump-ordered-action-against-irans-quds-force-commander-soleimani-us-department-of-defence-271773">President Donald Trump</a>, as the chamber's leaders wrangled over whether White House aides will be called as witnesses and the top Democrat appealed to a handful of Republicans who could help break the impasse.

After a two-week holiday recess, there was still no clarity about when Trump's impeachment trial might begin.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said that in any case the trial could not start without the articles of impeachment, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet sent to the Senate.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted in December to impeach Trump for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential rival in the 2020 presidential election.

A trial would be held in the Senate, and Trump is expected to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled chamber. But McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have been at loggerheads since late last year over how it should be conducted.

McConnell said on Friday that once the Senate receives the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-schumer-outlines-documents-he-wants-for-impeachment-trial-269912">articles of impeachment</a> from the House, it could start the trial and resolve the dispute over witnesses "mid-trial." He said this would follow the precedent set in former President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial two decades ago. Clinton, a Democrat, was acquitted by the Senate.

"Just like 20 years ago," McConnell said, "we should address mid-trial questions such as witnesses after briefs, opening arguments, senator questions and other relevant motions."

Watch:&nbsp;Pelosi calls Trump threat to US&nbsp;in House debate before impeachment vote

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Setting 'a trap'

Schumer, speaking after McConnell, said the majority leader was trying to set a trap by waiting to consider witnesses until after opening presentations.

By that time, Schumer said, McConnell would want to wrap things up and would accuse Democrats of wanting to "drag the whole affair out" by calling witnesses. The witnesses Democrats want to call have not previously testified - unlike in the Clinton trial, Schumer said.

He has asked for testimony from Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, along with former national security adviser John Bolton and two other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-announces-partial-ban-on-flavored-e-cigarettes-271789">White House aides</a>.

"So if we don't get a commitment up front that the House managers will be able to call witnesses as part of their case, the Senate will act as little more than a nationally televised meeting of the 'Mock Trial Club,'" Schumer declared.

In an appeal to Republicans who may have concerns about McConnell's stance, Schumer also noted that a decision on the parameters of the trial "ultimately rests with a majority of the senators in this chamber."

Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial.

At least two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, expressed concerns over the holiday break about McConnell's approach to the trial after he said he was acting in "total coordination" with the White House and would not be an impartial juror.

The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction, requiring more than 20 Republicans to break with their party to remove the president.

Schumer said Trump administration correspondence released this week bolstered Democrats' case that Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine in an effort to pressure Kiev to investigate the Bidens.

The two Senate leaders spoke after a US&nbsp;air strike in Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East. The attack was authorized by Trump, and Iran has promised harsh revenge.

Clinton ordered four days of bombing on Iraq in 1998 as he was facing an impeachment vote in the House. Those airstrikes delayed the vote, but did not prevent it.

The US Senate remained at a stalemate on Friday over how to proceed with the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, as the chamber's leaders wrangled over whether White House aides will be called as witnesses and the top Democrat appealed to a handful of Republicans who could help break the impasse.

The US Senate remained at a stalemate on Friday over how to proceed with the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, as the chamber's leaders wrangled over whether White House aides will be called as witnesses and the top Democrat appealed to a handful of Republicans who could help break the impasse. After a two-week holiday recess, there was still no clarity about when Trump's impeachment trial might begin. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, said that in any case the trial could not start without the articles of impeachment, which House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet sent to the Senate. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives voted in December to impeach Trump for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a potential rival in the 2020 presidential election. A trial would be held in the Senate, and Trump is expected to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled chamber. But McConnell and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer have been at loggerheads since late last year over how it should be conducted. McConnell said on Friday that once the Senate receives the articles of impeachment from the House, it could start the trial and resolve the dispute over witnesses "mid-trial." He said this would follow the precedent set in former President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial two decades ago. Clinton, a Democrat, was acquitted by the Senate. "Just like 20 years ago," McConnell said, "we should address mid-trial questions such as witnesses after briefs, opening arguments, senator questions and other relevant motions." Watch: Pelosi calls Trump threat to US in House debate before impeachment vote Setting 'a trap' Schumer, speaking after McConnell, said the majority leader was trying to set a trap by waiting to consider witnesses until after opening presentations. By that time, Schumer said, McConnell would want to wrap things up and would accuse Democrats of wanting to "drag the whole affair out" by calling witnesses. The witnesses Democrats want to call have not previously testified - unlike in the Clinton trial, Schumer said. He has asked for testimony from Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, along with former national security adviser John Bolton and two other White House aides. "So if we don't get a commitment up front that the House managers will be able to call witnesses as part of their case, the Senate will act as little more than a nationally televised meeting of the 'Mock Trial Club,'" Schumer declared. In an appeal to Republicans who may have concerns about McConnell's stance, Schumer also noted that a decision on the parameters of the trial "ultimately rests with a majority of the senators in this chamber." Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial. At least two Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, expressed concerns over the holiday break about McConnell's approach to the trial after he said he was acting in "total coordination" with the White House and would not be an impartial juror. The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction, requiring more than 20 Republicans to break with their party to remove the president. Schumer said Trump administration correspondence released this week bolstered Democrats' case that Trump withheld military aid from Ukraine in an effort to pressure Kiev to investigate the Bidens. The two Senate leaders spoke after a US air strike in Baghdad killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force and architect of its growing military influence in the Middle East. The attack was authorized by Trump, and Iran has promised harsh revenge. Clinton ordered four days of bombing on Iraq in 1998 as he was facing an impeachment vote in the House. Those airstrikes delayed the vote, but did not prevent it.

Trump impeachment row: US Senate in stalemate over how to proceed

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "disturbed" by the Senate leader's approach to working with White House counsel on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-no-proof-i-want-an-immediate-trial-trump-on-impeachment-proceedings-269248">impeachment trial of President Donald Trump</a>, saying there should be distance between the two.

The comments by the Alaska lawmaker come after Mitch&nbsp;McConnell, majority leader of the Republican-led Senate, said during an&nbsp;interview earlier this month that he was working in "total coordination" with the White House on the upcoming trial.

"To me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand-in-glove with the defence," Murkowski said in comments aired late on Tuesday during an interview. "I heard what leader&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;had said. I happened to think that has further confused the process."

&nbsp;

Also Watch: Trump impeachment gets mixed reviews

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&nbsp;

Murkowski, who says she remains undecided in how she will vote in the upcoming impeachment proceedings, cited the need for distance between the White House and the Senate on how the trial should be conducted.

Trump was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/so-unfair-donald-trump-slams-impeachment-delay-in-senate-269522">impeached</a> last week by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the top contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden's son. He has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress' investigation.

Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senator-schumer-outlines-documents-he-wants-for-impeachment-trial-269912">Senate</a>, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial. The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate, a bid to pressure Senate Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats in the chamber on trial rules.&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;said the Senate could not take any action until it receives the articles.

Whether or not to call witnesses has been one of the main sticking points between the Democrats and the Republicans in drafting rules for the impeachment proceedings.&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;on Monday said that Republicans had not ruled out hearing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-have-no-proof-i-want-an-immediate-trial-trump-on-impeachment-proceedings-269248">witnesses</a> in the impeachment trial the Republican president.

However,&nbsp;McConnell&nbsp;made clear he would not accede to a Democratic request for the Senate to agree ahead of time to take testimony during the trial.

There is little chance Trump will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in the Republican-led Senate, but the impeachment proceedings could resonate at the ballot box in November.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "disturbed" by the Senate leader's approach to working with White House counsel on the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, saying there should be distance between the two.

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said she was "disturbed" by the Senate leader's approach to working with White House counsel on the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, saying there should be distance between the two. The comments by the Alaska lawmaker come after Mitch McConnell, majority leader of the Republican-led Senate, said during an interview earlier this month that he was working in "total coordination" with the White House on the upcoming trial. "To me, it means that we have to take that step back from being hand-in-glove with the defence," Murkowski said in comments aired late on Tuesday during an interview. "I heard what leader McConnell had said. I happened to think that has further confused the process." Also Watch: Trump impeachment gets mixed reviews × Murkowski, who says she remains undecided in how she will vote in the upcoming impeachment proceedings, cited the need for distance between the White House and the Senate on how the trial should be conducted. Trump was impeached last week by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, one of the top contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden's son. He has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress' investigation. Trump has said he did nothing wrong. Republicans have a 53-seat majority in the Senate, where 51 votes are needed to pass a set of rules for the Trump trial. The actual impeachment trial in the Senate would need a two-thirds majority vote for a conviction. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the Senate, a bid to pressure Senate Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats in the chamber on trial rules. McConnell said the Senate could not take any action until it receives the articles. Whether or not to call witnesses has been one of the main sticking points between the Democrats and the Republicans in drafting rules for the impeachment proceedings. McConnell on Monday said that Republicans had not ruled out hearing witnesses in the impeachment trial the Republican president. However, McConnell made clear he would not accede to a Democratic request for the Senate to agree ahead of time to take testimony during the trial. There is little chance Trump will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in the Republican-led Senate, but the impeachment proceedings could resonate at the ballot box in November.

Republican senator 'disturbed' by McConnell's work with White House on impeachment trial

The White House does not want to see a prolonged impeachment trial in the US&nbsp;Senate, a senior administration official said on Sunday, suggesting President Donald Trump is comfortable with proceeding without calling witnesses in his defense.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives approved two impeachment charges against Trump on Wednesday over his pressuring of Ukraine to investigate a political rival. There is little chance he will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in a Senate controlled by fellow Republicans.

Democrats are pressing to call top Trump aides to testify, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants the Senate to consider the case without hearing from new witnesses.

While Trump had indicated an interest in calling separate witnesses in his defense, he has also said he would go along with whatever decision McConnell and other Senate Republican leaders make.

In remarks on Sunday talk shows, Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, indicated the White House was on board with McConnell's goal of a speedy trial.

"The American people are tired of this sham," Short said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

"To the extent that there's a prolonged trial, we're not anxious about that," he said. "Our administration is anxious to get back to working for the American people ... We've had a lot of witnesses already."

Lawmakers left Washington for a holiday break on Friday at loggerheads over how to proceed.

To ramp up pressure on McConnell to permit new testimony, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - the top Democrat in Congress - has postponed sending the impeachment charges to the Senate.

Republicans have suggested Democrats want witnesses because the case they have assembled is so weak, while Democrats portray Republicans as scared about what new testimony might reveal.

"If her case is so air tight ... why does she need more witnesses?" Short said on "Fox News Sunday."

Speaking to reporters in New York, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stuck with Democrats' position that further testimony was required. "It's a sham trial and that's why we feel so strongly there ought to be witnesses and documents," he said.

Republican moderates

Trump is only the third US&nbsp;president in history to be impeached. The others were Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 as he faced the threat of impeachment.

The House charged Trump with abusing his power by holding back $391 million in security aid to Ukraine in an effort to get Kiev to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election.

Trump was also charged with obstructing Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. He says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win.

"The American people and the United States Senate deserve to have a full, fair and complete trial and that means witnesses, it means documents," Democratic Senator Doug Jones told ABC's "This Week."

Responding to Republican charges that the case was thin, Jones said that if it was thin, "it's thin because the president of the United States ordered his top people who were in the room who have first-hand knowledge, not to testify."

Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and Democrats are hoping a few moderate Republicans will support their bid for further testimony and force McConnell's hand.

"The leverage is our hope that four Republican senators will stand up ... and say this is much bigger than our current political squabbles," Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, told CNN's "State of the Union."

"If four Republican senators step up, it can make a big difference," he said.

The White House does not want to see a prolonged impeachment trial in the US Senate, a senior administration official said on Sunday, suggesting President Donald Trump is comfortable with proceeding without calling witnesses in his defense.

The White House does not want to see a prolonged impeachment trial in the US Senate, a senior administration official said on Sunday, suggesting President Donald Trump is comfortable with proceeding without calling witnesses in his defense. The Democratic-led House of Representatives approved two impeachment charges against Trump on Wednesday over his pressuring of Ukraine to investigate a political rival. There is little chance he will be convicted and removed from office through a trial in a Senate controlled by fellow Republicans. Democrats are pressing to call top Trump aides to testify, but Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell wants the Senate to consider the case without hearing from new witnesses. While Trump had indicated an interest in calling separate witnesses in his defense, he has also said he would go along with whatever decision McConnell and other Senate Republican leaders make. In remarks on Sunday talk shows, Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, indicated the White House was on board with McConnell's goal of a speedy trial. "The American people are tired of this sham," Short said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "To the extent that there's a prolonged trial, we're not anxious about that," he said. "Our administration is anxious to get back to working for the American people ... We've had a lot of witnesses already." Lawmakers left Washington for a holiday break on Friday at loggerheads over how to proceed. To ramp up pressure on McConnell to permit new testimony, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi - the top Democrat in Congress - has postponed sending the impeachment charges to the Senate. Republicans have suggested Democrats want witnesses because the case they have assembled is so weak, while Democrats portray Republicans as scared about what new testimony might reveal. "If her case is so air tight ... why does she need more witnesses?" Short said on "Fox News Sunday." Speaking to reporters in New York, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer stuck with Democrats' position that further testimony was required. "It's a sham trial and that's why we feel so strongly there ought to be witnesses and documents," he said. Republican moderates Trump is only the third US president in history to be impeached. The others were Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 as he faced the threat of impeachment. The House charged Trump with abusing his power by holding back $391 million in security aid to Ukraine in an effort to get Kiev to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election. Trump was also charged with obstructing Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. He says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win. "The American people and the United States Senate deserve to have a full, fair and complete trial and that means witnesses, it means documents," Democratic Senator Doug Jones told ABC's "This Week." Responding to Republican charges that the case was thin, Jones said that if it was thin, "it's thin because the president of the United States ordered his top people who were in the room who have first-hand knowledge, not to testify." Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and Democrats are hoping a few moderate Republicans will support their bid for further testimony and force McConnell's hand. "The leverage is our hope that four Republican senators will stand up ... and say this is much bigger than our current political squabbles," Dick Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, told CNN's "State of the Union." "If four Republican senators step up, it can make a big difference," he said.

White House does not want prolonged impeachment trial: Senior official

United States <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-trump-invites-britains-johnson-to-white-house-for-new-year-sources-269520">President Donald Trump</a> criticised the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday. According to Trump, Pelosi is restraining against forwarding the articles of impeachment against him to the Senate.

"It's so unfair," Trump said, days after he was impeached by the House, during a speech to conservative student group Turning Point USA, saying that Pelosi adopted the strategy because she has "no case."

"They are violating the Constitution," Trump said, calling Pelosi "crazy Nancy."

The Democratic-controlled House voted on December 18 to impeach Trump, setting the stage for a trial in the Senate. Trump is very unlikely to be convicted and removed from office by the upper chamber of Congress because it is controlled by his Republican Party. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is needed for a conviction on impeachment charges.

Watch: Donald Trump becomes third US President to be impeached

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Republicans and Democrats are at loggerheads over how the trial will play out. Pelosi and other Democrats want to call top <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-xi-jinping-give-positive-signals-on-trade-deal-after-phone-call-269443">Trump aides</a> as witnesses and are seeking assurances that the trial will be held on terms they consider fair.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said he is working in tandem with the White House on trial preparations, drawing accusations from Democrats that he is ignoring his duty to consider the evidence in an impartial manner.

Pelosi has not yet sent the impeachment package to the Senate in a bid to increase pressure on Republicans there. Pelosi has also not yet announced the managers, or prosecutors, who will present evidence in the trial.

"Until the House gets a clearer picture of what a Senate trial will look like, the Speaker will not be in the position to appoint managers and take the next steps in holding this President accountable and ensuring the Senate fulfils its constitutional duty," Pelosi's office said in a statement on Saturday.

Pelosi's office said senators have a constitutional obligation to conduct a "fair process that provides both the Senators, who will act as jurors and the public with the opportunity to understand the full extent of President Trump’s abuse of power."

Trump is accused of abusing his power by holding back $391 million in security aid to Ukraine in an effort to get Kiev to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election.

The president is also charged with obstruction of Congress for directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-blocks-group-spreading-pro-trump-posts-from-fake-accounts-269435">Trump</a> says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win.

United States President Donald Trump criticised the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday. According to Trump, Pelosi is restraining against forwarding the articles of impeachment against him to the Senate.

United States President Donald Trump criticised the House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Saturday. According to Trump, Pelosi is restraining against forwarding the articles of impeachment against him to the Senate. "It's so unfair," Trump said, days after he was impeached by the House, during a speech to conservative student group Turning Point USA, saying that Pelosi adopted the strategy because she has "no case." "They are violating the Constitution," Trump said, calling Pelosi "crazy Nancy." The Democratic-controlled House voted on December 18 to impeach Trump, setting the stage for a trial in the Senate. Trump is very unlikely to be convicted and removed from office by the upper chamber of Congress because it is controlled by his Republican Party. A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate is needed for a conviction on impeachment charges. Watch: Donald Trump becomes third US President to be impeached Republicans and Democrats are at loggerheads over how the trial will play out. Pelosi and other Democrats want to call top Trump aides as witnesses and are seeking assurances that the trial will be held on terms they consider fair. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has said he is working in tandem with the White House on trial preparations, drawing accusations from Democrats that he is ignoring his duty to consider the evidence in an impartial manner. Pelosi has not yet sent the impeachment package to the Senate in a bid to increase pressure on Republicans there. Pelosi has also not yet announced the managers, or prosecutors, who will present evidence in the trial. "Until the House gets a clearer picture of what a Senate trial will look like, the Speaker will not be in the position to appoint managers and take the next steps in holding this President accountable and ensuring the Senate fulfils its constitutional duty," Pelosi's office said in a statement on Saturday. Pelosi's office said senators have a constitutional obligation to conduct a "fair process that provides both the Senators, who will act as jurors and the public with the opportunity to understand the full extent of President Trump’s abuse of power." Trump is accused of abusing his power by holding back $391 million in security aid to Ukraine in an effort to get Kiev to announce a corruption investigation of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 2020 election. The president is also charged with obstruction of Congress for directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry. Trump says he did nothing wrong and has dismissed his impeachment as a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win.

'So unfair': Donald Trump slams impeachment delay in Senate

President Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives. Democrats and Republicans voted on two articles to impeach the 45th president on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. How will this affect voter's opinion and his chances to be re-elected the President.

Will Trumps Impeachment change voter's opinion?

President Donald Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives. Democrats and Republicans voted on two articles to impeach the 45th president on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Donald Trump impeached. What happens next?

Opinion polls on impeachment gets mixed reviews as some are supportive of impeachment while a majority is not. Watch to know more.

Trump impeachment gets mixed reviews

President Donald Trump impeached on charges of abuse of power and obstructing Congress. Watch to know more

Donald Trump impeached on two counts by US House

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-did-nothing-wrong-says-trump-ahead-of-impeachment-vote-in-us-house-269000">Donald&nbsp;Trump</a>&nbsp;on Wednesday became the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-on-track-to-become-third-us-president-to-be-impeached-268809">third&nbsp;US&nbsp;president to be impeached</a> as the&nbsp;House&nbsp;of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a&nbsp;historic&nbsp;step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply&nbsp;divided&nbsp;America.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump impeached on two counts by US House

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The Democratic-led&nbsp;House's passage of two articles of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-does-the-impeachment-of-a-us-president-work-265766">impeachment</a> on a mostly party-line&nbsp;vote&nbsp;sets the stage for a trial next month in the Republican-controlled Senate, friendlier terrain for&nbsp;Trump, on whether to convict and remove him from office.

No president in the 243-year history of the United States has been removed from office by impeachment. That would require a two-thirds majority in the 100-member Senate, meaning at least 20 Republicans would have to join Democrats in voting against&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and none have indicated they will.

The Senate's top Republican, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-impeachment-trial-first-priority-in-january-us-senate-leader-267756">Mitch McConnell</a>, has predicted there is "no chance" his chamber will remove&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;when it holds its trial.&nbsp;House&nbsp;Speaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pens-a-blistering-letter-to-nancy-pelosi-accuses-democrats-of-attempted-coup-268812">Nancy Pelosi </a>said after the&nbsp;vote&nbsp;she would wait to name the&nbsp;House&nbsp;managers, or prosecutors, until she knew more about the procedures for the Senate trial. She did not specify when she would send the articles to the Senate.

"So far, we haven't seen anything that looks fair to us," Pelosi told reporters.

Trump, 73, is accused of abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, a leading contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, as well as a discredited theory that Democrats conspired with Ukraine to meddle in the 2016 election.

Democrats said&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;held back $391 million in security aid intended to combat Russia-backed separatists and a coveted White&nbsp;House&nbsp;meeting for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to coerce Kiev into interfering in the 2020 election by smearing Biden.

The second article accused&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;of obstruction of Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to comply with lawful&nbsp;House&nbsp;subpoenas for testimony and documents related to impeachment.

Trump, who is seeking another four-year term in the November 2020 presidential election, has denied wrongdoing and called the impeachment inquiry launched by Pelosi in September a "<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-faces-two-impeachment-deadlines-as-inquiry-shifts-focus-265580">witch hunt</a>."

At a raucous rally for his re-election in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the&nbsp;House&nbsp;voted,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said the impeachment would be a "mark of shame" for Democrats and Pelosi, and cost them in the 2020 election.

"This lawless, partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the Democrat Party,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said. "They're the ones who should be impeached, every one of them."

Here to defend democracy

During a daylong debate before the&nbsp;vote, Pelosi read the&nbsp;US&nbsp;Pledge of Allegiance and said: "We are here to defend democracy for the people."

"If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty. It is tragic that the president's reckless actions make impeachment necessary," Pelosi said.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Nancy Pelosi and Trump impeachment

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As the debate unfolded, Republicans accused Democrats of seeking to use an unfair, rigged process to nullify the 2016 election and influence the 2020&nbsp;vote.

"The matter before the&nbsp;House&nbsp;today is based solely on a fundamental hatred of our president. It's a sham, a witch hunt and it's tantamount to a coup against the duly elected president of the United States," Republican Representative Mike Rogers said.

Republican Representative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-factories-falter-white-house-insists-economy-like-a-rock-254008">Mike Kelly</a> compared the impeachment to the Japanese attack on Hawaii's Pearl Harbor in 1941, calling the&nbsp;House&nbsp;proceedings another "date that will live in infamy", similar to the words Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt used to describe the raid that killed about 2,400 people and led to America's entry into World War Two.

The abuse of power article was passed on a 230-197&nbsp;vote&nbsp;and the obstruction article was passed 229-198. All of the&nbsp;House&nbsp;Republicans opposed the articles, and two Democrats, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-effort-passes-first-test-in-divided-us-congress-259134">Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew</a>,&nbsp;voted no on both. Democrat Jared Golden&nbsp;voted against the obstruction charge but for abuse of power.

"The only part of the&nbsp;vote&nbsp;that was bipartisan was in opposition. The President is just getting stronger while support for the Democrats’ political theater has faded,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement.

US&nbsp;Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic presidential candidate,&nbsp;voted present on both articles, declaring in a statement: "I could not in good conscience&nbsp;vote&nbsp;either yes or no."

Polarized Country

Trump's election has polarized the United States, dividing families and friends and making it more difficult for politicians in Washington to find middle ground as they try to confront pressing challenges like the rise of China and climate change.

The impeachment&nbsp;vote&nbsp;comes ahead of&nbsp;Trump's re-election campaign, which will pit him against the winner among a field of Democratic contenders, including Biden, who have repeatedly criticized&nbsp;Trump's conduct in office and promised to make it a key issue.

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President Trump abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation. This is a solemn moment for our country. But in the United States of America, no one is above the law — not even the President.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden/status/1207479041256755201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation," Biden said on Twitter after the&nbsp;vote, adding: "In the United States of America, no one is above the law,&nbsp;not even the president."

Polls show that while most Democrats want to see him impeached, most Republicans do not. Televised hearings last month that were meant to build public support for impeachment appear to have pushed the two sides further apart.

The&nbsp;House&nbsp;vote&nbsp;on Wednesday was just the latest, but also unquestionably the biggest, in a string of controversies that have buffeted the turbulent presidency of the New York real estate mogul and former reality TV personality.

Central to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/house-panel-approves-trump-charges-sets-up-impeachment-vote-268182">impeachment inquiry </a>was a July 25 telephone call in which&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who had joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was&nbsp;US&nbsp;vice president.

Trump&nbsp;has accused the Bidens of corruption without offering evidence. They have denied wrongdoing.

A rough transcript of the call released by the White&nbsp;House&nbsp;showed&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;asking Zelenskiy, elected only three months earlier and eager for American support, to "do us a favor" and conduct the investigations in coordination with his personal lawyer <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-democrats-make-case-for-republicans-to-endorse-trump-impeachment-268418">Rudy Giuliani</a>.

Giuliani in the prior months had engaged in a concerted effort to persuade Ukraine to carry out the investigations. Testimony before&nbsp;House&nbsp;committees showed that Giuliani helped engineer&nbsp;Trump's removal last May of the&nbsp;US&nbsp;ambassador to Ukraine, who was perceived as a roadblock to those investigations.

Impeachment is a remedy devised by the United States' founders, wary of a monarch on American soil after breaking away from Britain and King George III in the 18th century, to enable Congress to remove a president who has committed "high crimes and misdemeanors."

Only two previous presidents have been impeached. The&nbsp;House&nbsp;in 1998 impeached President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White&nbsp;House&nbsp;intern, but the Senate acquitted him. The&nbsp;House&nbsp;impeached President Andrew Johnson in 1868, focused on his removal of the secretary of war, but he was acquitted by one&nbsp;vote&nbsp;in the Senate.

In 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned after the&nbsp;House&nbsp;Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment in the Watergate corruption scandal but before the full&nbsp;House&nbsp;could pass them.

Donald Trump on Wednesday became the third US president to be impeached as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America.

Donald Trump on Wednesday became the third US president to be impeached as the House of Representatives formally charged him with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress in a historic step that will inflame partisan tensions across a deeply divided America. Also Watch: Donald Trump impeached on two counts by US House × The Democratic-led House's passage of two articles of impeachment on a mostly party-line vote sets the stage for a trial next month in the Republican-controlled Senate, friendlier terrain for Trump, on whether to convict and remove him from office. No president in the 243-year history of the United States has been removed from office by impeachment. That would require a two-thirds majority in the 100-member Senate, meaning at least 20 Republicans would have to join Democrats in voting against Trump and none have indicated they will. The Senate's top Republican, Mitch McConnell, has predicted there is "no chance" his chamber will remove Trump when it holds its trial. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said after the vote she would wait to name the House managers, or prosecutors, until she knew more about the procedures for the Senate trial. She did not specify when she would send the articles to the Senate. "So far, we haven't seen anything that looks fair to us," Pelosi told reporters. Trump, 73, is accused of abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden, a leading contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, as well as a discredited theory that Democrats conspired with Ukraine to meddle in the 2016 election. Democrats said Trump held back $391 million in security aid intended to combat Russia-backed separatists and a coveted White House meeting for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to coerce Kiev into interfering in the 2020 election by smearing Biden. The second article accused Trump of obstruction of Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to comply with lawful House subpoenas for testimony and documents related to impeachment. Trump, who is seeking another four-year term in the November 2020 presidential election, has denied wrongdoing and called the impeachment inquiry launched by Pelosi in September a "witch hunt." At a raucous rally for his re-election in Battle Creek, Michigan, as the House voted, Trump said the impeachment would be a "mark of shame" for Democrats and Pelosi, and cost them in the 2020 election. "This lawless, partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the Democrat Party," Trump said. "They're the ones who should be impeached, every one of them." Here to defend democracy During a daylong debate before the vote, Pelosi read the US Pledge of Allegiance and said: "We are here to defend democracy for the people." "If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty. It is tragic that the president's reckless actions make impeachment necessary," Pelosi said. Also Watch: Nancy Pelosi and Trump impeachment × As the debate unfolded, Republicans accused Democrats of seeking to use an unfair, rigged process to nullify the 2016 election and influence the 2020 vote. "The matter before the House today is based solely on a fundamental hatred of our president. It's a sham, a witch hunt and it's tantamount to a coup against the duly elected president of the United States," Republican Representative Mike Rogers said. Republican Representative Mike Kelly compared the impeachment to the Japanese attack on Hawaii's Pearl Harbor in 1941, calling the House proceedings another "date that will live in infamy", similar to the words Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt used to describe the raid that killed about 2,400 people and led to America's entry into World War Two. The abuse of power article was passed on a 230-197 vote and the obstruction article was passed 229-198. All of the House Republicans opposed the articles, and two Democrats, Collin Peterson and Jeff Van Drew, voted no on both. Democrat Jared Golden voted against the obstruction charge but for abuse of power. "The only part of the vote that was bipartisan was in opposition. The President is just getting stronger while support for the Democrats’ political theater has faded," Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said in a statement. US Representative Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic presidential candidate, voted present on both articles, declaring in a statement: "I could not in good conscience vote either yes or no." Polarized Country Trump's election has polarized the United States, dividing families and friends and making it more difficult for politicians in Washington to find middle ground as they try to confront pressing challenges like the rise of China and climate change. The impeachment vote comes ahead of Trump's re-election campaign, which will pit him against the winner among a field of Democratic contenders, including Biden, who have repeatedly criticized Trump's conduct in office and promised to make it a key issue. President Trump abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation. This is a solemn moment for our country. But in the United States of America, no one is above the law — not even the President. — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 19, 2019 × "President Trump abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation," Biden said on Twitter after the vote, adding: "In the United States of America, no one is above the law, not even the president." Polls show that while most Democrats want to see him impeached, most Republicans do not. Televised hearings last month that were meant to build public support for impeachment appear to have pushed the two sides further apart. The House vote on Wednesday was just the latest, but also unquestionably the biggest, in a string of controversies that have buffeted the turbulent presidency of the New York real estate mogul and former reality TV personality. Central to the impeachment inquiry was a July 25 telephone call in which Trump asked Zelenskiy to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who had joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was US vice president. Trump has accused the Bidens of corruption without offering evidence. They have denied wrongdoing. A rough transcript of the call released by the White House showed Trump asking Zelenskiy, elected only three months earlier and eager for American support, to "do us a favor" and conduct the investigations in coordination with his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani in the prior months had engaged in a concerted effort to persuade Ukraine to carry out the investigations. Testimony before House committees showed that Giuliani helped engineer Trump's removal last May of the US ambassador to Ukraine, who was perceived as a roadblock to those investigations. Impeachment is a remedy devised by the United States' founders, wary of a monarch on American soil after breaking away from Britain and King George III in the 18th century, to enable Congress to remove a president who has committed "high crimes and misdemeanors." Only two previous presidents have been impeached. The House in 1998 impeached President Bill Clinton on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern, but the Senate acquitted him. The House impeached President Andrew Johnson in 1868, focused on his removal of the secretary of war, but he was acquitted by one vote in the Senate. In 1974, President Richard Nixon resigned after the House Judiciary Committee approved articles of impeachment in the Watergate corruption scandal but before the full House could pass them.

Divided US House impeaches President Donald Trump in historic vote

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

As the house voted to impeached President Donald Trump, making him the third President in the U.S History, the Prsident addressed a rally saying,"It doesn't really feel like we're being impeached. The country is doing better than ever before, we did nothing wrong, and we have tremendous support in the Republican Party like we've never had before," Trump said

Trump: Doesn't feel like we're being Impeached

Republican <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-the-impeachment-inquiry-might-affect-donald-trumps-2020-re-election-chances-253716">Donald Trump</a> is this week likely to become the third <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/for-russia-talk-of-donald-trump-impeachment-is-the-gift-that-keeps-on-giving-254956">US president</a> to be impeached when the Democratic-led House of Representatives votes on charges stemming from his effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/how-does-the-impeachment-of-a-us-president-work-265766">Trump</a> faces one charge of abusing his power by asking Ukraine to investigate Biden, a leading Democratic contender to oppose him in the 2020 US presidential election, and one of obstructing Congress' investigation into the matter.

Watch:&nbsp;

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The president has denied wrongdoing and accused Democrats of a baseless and politically-motivated bid to oust him from power.

The House is likely to take up impeachment on Wednesday, setting the stage for a vote this week on whether to approve the charges and send the matter to the Republican-led Senate to hold a trial on whether to remove Trump from office.

Democrats, who enjoy a 36-seat majority in the House, are expected to win an impeachment vote, which requires a simple majority.

Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate, where they appear likely to prevail in any trial against Trump, which would require a two-thirds majority of those present to remove him from office.

Seeking to shape any trial, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called on Sunday for testimony from White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, former national security adviser John Bolton, Mulvaney aide Robert Blair and budget official Michael Duffey.

Schumer made his appeal in a letter to Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said last week he was coordinating with the White House and has raised the prospect of a short impeachment trial in which no witnesses would be called.

"I hope we can come to an agreement about a fair trial," Schumer told MSNBC in an interview on Monday.

House Democrats also sought testimony from the four men in their inquiry, but they did not appear.

The House Judiciary Committee voted 23-17 on Friday along party lines to approve the two charges against Trump and to send the matter to the full chamber. Late on Sunday, the panel issued its full report detailing the case against him.

In a tweet on Monday, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Schumer's comments seeking fairness were "laughable" after the release of the 658-page report "in the middle of the night. Thankfully the people of this country continue to see the partisan sham that this is."

A McConnell spokesman did not directly address Schumer's requests, but said the Senate majority leader "plans to meet with Leader Schumer to discuss the contours of a trial soon."

Defection

No US&nbsp;president has been removed as a direct result of impeachment.

Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before he could be removed, while Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached by the House, respectively in 1868 and 1998, but not convicted by the Senate.

Senior House Democrats expect to win any impeachment vote, albeit with the possibility of some defections from moderates facing tough re-elections next year in Trump-leaning districts.

Representative Jeff Van Drew, a conservative Democrat from New Jersey who opposed impeachment, is planning to become a Republican, media reported over the weekend. The news prompted a mass resignation of staffers in his office.

In congressional hearings, Democrats have accused Trump of endangering the U.S. Constitution, jeopardizing national security and undermining the integrity of next year's U.S. presidential election by asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July phone call to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company.

Democrats argue impeachment is an urgent necessity because Trump has continued his alleged misconduct, endangering the integrity of the 2020 election.

Republicans have defended Trump and accused Democrats of a partisan effort aimed at overturning his upset 2016 victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump has branded the entire impeachment drive a sham.

"READ THE TRANSCRIPTS! The Impeachment Hoax is the greatest con job in the history of American politics!" he said in a tweet on Monday.

Trump has alleged the Bidens were involved in corruption in Ukraine and should be investigated there, but has offered no evidence. Biden, a former U.S. vice president, has denied wrongdoing.

Republican Donald Trump is this week likely to become the third US president to be impeached when the Democratic-led House of Representatives votes on charges stemming from his effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden.

Republican Donald Trump is this week likely to become the third US president to be impeached when the Democratic-led House of Representatives votes on charges stemming from his effort to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden. Trump faces one charge of abusing his power by asking Ukraine to investigate Biden, a leading Democratic contender to oppose him in the 2020 US presidential election, and one of obstructing Congress' investigation into the matter. Watch: The president has denied wrongdoing and accused Democrats of a baseless and politically-motivated bid to oust him from power. The House is likely to take up impeachment on Wednesday, setting the stage for a vote this week on whether to approve the charges and send the matter to the Republican-led Senate to hold a trial on whether to remove Trump from office. Democrats, who enjoy a 36-seat majority in the House, are expected to win an impeachment vote, which requires a simple majority. Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats in the Senate, where they appear likely to prevail in any trial against Trump, which would require a two-thirds majority of those present to remove him from office. Seeking to shape any trial, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer called on Sunday for testimony from White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, former national security adviser John Bolton, Mulvaney aide Robert Blair and budget official Michael Duffey. Schumer made his appeal in a letter to Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who said last week he was coordinating with the White House and has raised the prospect of a short impeachment trial in which no witnesses would be called. "I hope we can come to an agreement about a fair trial," Schumer told MSNBC in an interview on Monday. House Democrats also sought testimony from the four men in their inquiry, but they did not appear. The House Judiciary Committee voted 23-17 on Friday along party lines to approve the two charges against Trump and to send the matter to the full chamber. Late on Sunday, the panel issued its full report detailing the case against him. In a tweet on Monday, White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Schumer's comments seeking fairness were "laughable" after the release of the 658-page report "in the middle of the night. Thankfully the people of this country continue to see the partisan sham that this is." A McConnell spokesman did not directly address Schumer's requests, but said the Senate majority leader "plans to meet with Leader Schumer to discuss the contours of a trial soon." Defection No US president has been removed as a direct result of impeachment. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before he could be removed, while Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached by the House, respectively in 1868 and 1998, but not convicted by the Senate. Senior House Democrats expect to win any impeachment vote, albeit with the possibility of some defections from moderates facing tough re-elections next year in Trump-leaning districts. Representative Jeff Van Drew, a conservative Democrat from New Jersey who opposed impeachment, is planning to become a Republican, media reported over the weekend. The news prompted a mass resignation of staffers in his office. In congressional hearings, Democrats have accused Trump of endangering the U.S. Constitution, jeopardizing national security and undermining the integrity of next year's U.S. presidential election by asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July phone call to investigate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. Democrats argue impeachment is an urgent necessity because Trump has continued his alleged misconduct, endangering the integrity of the 2020 election. Republicans have defended Trump and accused Democrats of a partisan effort aimed at overturning his upset 2016 victory over Democrat Hillary Clinton. Trump has branded the entire impeachment drive a sham. "READ THE TRANSCRIPTS! The Impeachment Hoax is the greatest con job in the history of American politics!" he said in a tweet on Monday. Trump has alleged the Bidens were involved in corruption in Ukraine and should be investigated there, but has offered no evidence. Biden, a former U.S. vice president, has denied wrongdoing.

Donald Trump on track to become third US president to be impeached

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 warned that US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-criticism-trump-signs-order-targeting-anti-semitism-at-universities-267765">President Donald Trump</a> was on the verge of dictatorship while Republicans fiercely defended his record at the opening of a stormy, historic debate on impeachment charges Wednesday.

The parties held tightly to diametrically opposed views of Trump as they weighed articles of impeachment at the beginning of a two-day debate.

Trump is alleged to have wielded the power of the presidency for personal and political gain by pressuring Ukraine to interfere in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-warns-russia-not-to-meddle-in-us-election-2020-267555">2020 US election</a>.

There is little question about the outcome in the House Judiciary Committee: by the end of the week the majority-Democrat panel is expected to approve the charges and send them to the entire House of Representatives for passage next week.

But lawmakers in the televised hearing appeared focused on speaking to voters, whose sentiment will be crucial if, as expected, Trump goes on trial in the US Senate in January.

In a grave voice, Democratic committee chairman Jerry Nadler opened the hearing.

"Today we begin consideration of two articles of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-impeachment-trial-first-priority-in-january-us-senate-leader-267756">impeachment against President</a> Donald J. Trump," he said.

"Taken together, the two articles charge President Trump with placing his private political interests above our national security, above our free and fair elections, and above our ability to hold public officials accountable," he said.

"If the president can first abuse his power and then stonewall all congressional requests for information, Congress cannot fulfill its duty to act as a check and balance against the Executive,&nbsp;and the president becomes a dictator."

Charges 'generic, vague'

Doug Collins, the senior Republican on the committee, argued that Democrats have been seeking to impeach Trump ever since he came into office in January 2017, and have no clear case beyond "abuse of power."

"It's just generic vague statements," Collins said.&nbsp;

"You go home and pick something you don't like about the president, and there's your abuse of power."

"This is as much about political expediency as it is anything else, and that should never be an article of impeachment."

Trump faces becoming only the third president in US history to be impeached and placed on trial in the Senate.

He is accused of pressuring Ukraine for help against his Democratic challenger Joe Biden ahead of next year's national elections, and holding up military aid to the country which it needed to face Russian aggression, unless it did his bidding.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Trump's Impeachment Saga: Democrats unveil formal charges

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&nbsp;

Republicans stick behind Trump

With the committee's 40 members speaking one by one, alternating by party, Republicans were united in claiming there was no evidence to support the charges.

Jim Jordan said Democrats were simply refighting their 2016 election loss and hated Trump.

"This is about one basic fact: the Democrats have never accepted the will of the American people," he said. "They don't like the 63 million people who voted for this president."

But Democrats clung to statements of principles, warning not to let Trump get away with inviting foreign interference in a US election.

"Will we hold the president accountable, or will we serve as his accomplices?" asked Hank Johnson.&nbsp;

Most indications are that the Republican majority in the Senate will ultimately protect Trump from conviction and removal.

But impeachment could mar his record as president and affect his reelection chances in November 2020.

At a political rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, he ridiculed the charges.

"Everybody said, 'This is impeachment light,'" Trump said, adding "there are no crimes" and Democrats are just trying to win the next election.&nbsp;

After nearly four hours, the debate was adjourned late Wednesday until Thursday morning at 9:00 am (1400 GMT), when they will discuss possible amendments to the charges.&nbsp;

Nadler's opening statement earlier in the evening said three questions should frame the members' debate: "First, does the evidence show clearly that the President committed these acts? &nbsp;&nbsp;

"Second, do they rise to the level of impeachable high crimes and misdemeanors? &nbsp;

"Third, what are the consequences for our national security, for the integrity of our elections, and for our country if we fail to act?"

Democrats warned that US President Donald Trump was on the verge of dictatorship while Republicans fiercely defended his record at the opening of a stormy, historic debate on impeachment charges Wednesday.

Democrats warned that US President Donald Trump was on the verge of dictatorship while Republicans fiercely defended his record at the opening of a stormy, historic debate on impeachment charges Wednesday. The parties held tightly to diametrically opposed views of Trump as they weighed articles of impeachment at the beginning of a two-day debate. Trump is alleged to have wielded the power of the presidency for personal and political gain by pressuring Ukraine to interfere in the 2020 US election. There is little question about the outcome in the House Judiciary Committee: by the end of the week the majority-Democrat panel is expected to approve the charges and send them to the entire House of Representatives for passage next week. But lawmakers in the televised hearing appeared focused on speaking to voters, whose sentiment will be crucial if, as expected, Trump goes on trial in the US Senate in January. In a grave voice, Democratic committee chairman Jerry Nadler opened the hearing. "Today we begin consideration of two articles of impeachment against President Donald J. Trump," he said. "Taken together, the two articles charge President Trump with placing his private political interests above our national security, above our free and fair elections, and above our ability to hold public officials accountable," he said. "If the president can first abuse his power and then stonewall all congressional requests for information, Congress cannot fulfill its duty to act as a check and balance against the Executive, and the president becomes a dictator." Charges 'generic, vague' Doug Collins, the senior Republican on the committee, argued that Democrats have been seeking to impeach Trump ever since he came into office in January 2017, and have no clear case beyond "abuse of power." "It's just generic vague statements," Collins said. "You go home and pick something you don't like about the president, and there's your abuse of power." "This is as much about political expediency as it is anything else, and that should never be an article of impeachment." Trump faces becoming only the third president in US history to be impeached and placed on trial in the Senate. He is accused of pressuring Ukraine for help against his Democratic challenger Joe Biden ahead of next year's national elections, and holding up military aid to the country which it needed to face Russian aggression, unless it did his bidding. Also Watch: Trump's Impeachment Saga: Democrats unveil formal charges × Republicans stick behind Trump With the committee's 40 members speaking one by one, alternating by party, Republicans were united in claiming there was no evidence to support the charges. Jim Jordan said Democrats were simply refighting their 2016 election loss and hated Trump. "This is about one basic fact: the Democrats have never accepted the will of the American people," he said. "They don't like the 63 million people who voted for this president." But Democrats clung to statements of principles, warning not to let Trump get away with inviting foreign interference in a US election. "Will we hold the president accountable, or will we serve as his accomplices?" asked Hank Johnson. Most indications are that the Republican majority in the Senate will ultimately protect Trump from conviction and removal. But impeachment could mar his record as president and affect his reelection chances in November 2020. At a political rally in Hershey, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, he ridiculed the charges. "Everybody said, 'This is impeachment light,'" Trump said, adding "there are no crimes" and Democrats are just trying to win the next election. After nearly four hours, the debate was adjourned late Wednesday until Thursday morning at 9:00 am (1400 GMT), when they will discuss possible amendments to the charges. Nadler's opening statement earlier in the evening said three questions should frame the members' debate: "First, does the evidence show clearly that the President committed these acts? "Second, do they rise to the level of impeachable high crimes and misdemeanors? "Third, what are the consequences for our national security, for the integrity of our elections, and for our country if we fail to act?"

US President Donald Trump impeachment debate opens with fiery partisan battle

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-refers-to-charges-of-impeachment-as-ridiculous-267524">president is impeached</a> as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday.

The House Judiciary Committee was set to meet beginning Wednesday evening to debate two articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine.

The panel will likely vote to approve the charges on Thursday.

That would send the articles to a full vote by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-expected-to-unveil-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267354">Democratic-led House of Representatives</a> as early as next week on whether to impeach a US president for only the third time in US history.

The case would then shift to the Senate in the new year for a trial to decide whether Trump is removed from office.

Watch: Trump impeachment saga - Democrats unveil formal charges

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"A Senate trial will have to be our first item of business in January," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told colleagues on the floor.

Conviction appears unlikely given that Republicans hold a majority in the chamber and the threshold for conviction is high, at two-thirds of members.

McConnell savaged Democrats who he says have been desperate to impeach Trump from the day he took the oath of office, and who have rushed the process "based on the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history."

"If the House continues down this destructive road and sends us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fineprint-us-democrats-introduce-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267533">articles of impeachment</a>, the Senate will take them up in the new year and proceed to a fair trial."

In multiple public House hearings, Democrats have argued that Trump abused the powers of his office to solicit foreign interference in 2020's US elections and that he would remain a "clear and present danger" to national security if not removed from office.

Trump has reportedly told advisors he wants to make a dramatic show of the trial, and that calling witnesses to appear in person in the Senate could help him damage Democrats ahead of the November election.

McConnell told reporters Tuesday that no decision on whether to hear from witnesses live, rather than in taped depositions, would be made until after the trial's opening arguments.

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US president is impeached as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday.

The trial of Donald Trump will be the Senate's first priority in January if the US president is impeached as expected next week, the top Republican in Congress said Wednesday. The House Judiciary Committee was set to meet beginning Wednesday evening to debate two articles of impeachment that accuse Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his dealings with Ukraine. The panel will likely vote to approve the charges on Thursday. That would send the articles to a full vote by the Democratic-led House of Representatives as early as next week on whether to impeach a US president for only the third time in US history. The case would then shift to the Senate in the new year for a trial to decide whether Trump is removed from office. Watch: Trump impeachment saga - Democrats unveil formal charges "A Senate trial will have to be our first item of business in January," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told colleagues on the floor. Conviction appears unlikely given that Republicans hold a majority in the chamber and the threshold for conviction is high, at two-thirds of members. McConnell savaged Democrats who he says have been desperate to impeach Trump from the day he took the oath of office, and who have rushed the process "based on the least thorough and most unfair impeachment inquiry in modern history." "If the House continues down this destructive road and sends us articles of impeachment, the Senate will take them up in the new year and proceed to a fair trial." In multiple public House hearings, Democrats have argued that Trump abused the powers of his office to solicit foreign interference in 2020's US elections and that he would remain a "clear and present danger" to national security if not removed from office. Trump has reportedly told advisors he wants to make a dramatic show of the trial, and that calling witnesses to appear in person in the Senate could help him damage Democrats ahead of the November election. McConnell told reporters Tuesday that no decision on whether to hear from witnesses live, rather than in taped depositions, would be made until after the trial's opening arguments.

Trump's impeachment trial 'first' priority in January: US Senate leader

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'

Democrats in the United States House of Representatives today introduced <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-democrats-expected-to-unveil-two-articles-of-impeachment-against-trump-267354">two articles of impeachment</a> 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.

Nadler was flanked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow chairs of the committees.

Trump is accused of pressuring Ukraine to initiate a probe of a Democratic political rival and then of obstructing Congress' efforts to investigate his actions.

Watch: Second impeachment hearing convenes against US president

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Nadler closed the nine-hour hearing on Monday with a condemnation of Trump's actions soliciting help from Ukraine against Democratic 2020 US presidential rival Joe Biden.

Democrats described Trump's actions as a "clear and present danger" to national security and the upcoming US election.

"The facts are clear. The danger to our democracy is clear and our duty is clear," Nadler said in his closing statement.

The Judiciary panel could vote this week on whether to send <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-democrat-says-president-violated-oath-republicans-attack-probe-267302">formal charges</a>, known as articles of impeachment, to the full Democratic-led House.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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.

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. 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. Nadler was flanked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and fellow chairs of the committees. Trump is accused of pressuring Ukraine to initiate a probe of a Democratic political rival and then of obstructing Congress' efforts to investigate his actions. Watch: Second impeachment hearing convenes against US president Nadler closed the nine-hour hearing on Monday with a condemnation of Trump's actions soliciting help from Ukraine against Democratic 2020 US presidential rival Joe Biden. Democrats described Trump's actions as a "clear and present danger" to national security and the upcoming US election. "The facts are clear. The danger to our democracy is clear and our duty is clear," Nadler said in his closing statement. The Judiciary panel could vote this week on whether to send formal charges, known as articles of impeachment, to the full Democratic-led House. (With inputs from Reuters)

US Democrats introduce two articles of impeachment against President Trump

The head of a US&nbsp;congressional panel leading the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-zoom-in-on-trump-impeachment-charges-this-week-267046">impeachment inquiry</a> against Donald Trump on Monday accused the Republican president of putting himself before his country and violating his oath of office.

In a statement kicking off a hearing in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives to weigh the evidence against Trump, Judiciary Committee Democratic Chairman Jerrold Nadler said there was extensive proof of wrongdoing.

"The evidence shows that Donald J. Trump, the president of the United States, has put himself before his country. He has violated his most basic responsibilities to the people. He has broken his oath," Nadler said. "I will honour mine."

The hearing on Monday is a key step before determining charges, known as articles of impeachment, that the full Democratic-controlled House is likely to vote on before Christmas.

The heart of the issue is whether Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a political rival seeking the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election.

Trump denies having done anything wrong and has called the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-win-impeachment-fight-us-president-donald-trump-266504">impeachment probe</a> a hoax.

The House Judiciary panel is expected to vote by the end of the week on whether to send formal charges to the full House, setting up an inevitable clash with the White House and its Republican allies. No current House Republican has come out in favour of impeaching Trump.

Ahead of the hearing, Republicans placed black-and-white signs in the committee room to underscore their argument that Democrats were on a partisan mission to unseat a president who did nothing to merit impeachment.

One sign quoted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying, "We cannot accept a second term for Donald Trump."

"They’re desperate to have an impeachment vote on this president," Representative Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the panel, said during the hearing.

A vote in the House in favour of impeachment would trigger a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate where a two-thirds vote of those present would be needed to remove the president from office. A conviction is considered unlikely.

White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said the White House was not participating in the Judiciary panel's proceedings because cooperating would be "colluding with an illegitimate process."

"We're not going to do their dirty work," Conway told reporters at the White House shortly before the hearing began. "Maybe in the Senate if it's a fair trial," the White House may participate, she added.

It has been 20 years since Americans last witnessed impeachment proceedings, when Republicans brought charges against Democratic President Bill Clinton arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern. He was acquitted in the Senate.

Watch: What's next for Donald Trump?

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'Clear and present danger'

After weeks of investigation into Trump's request that Ukraine investigate Biden and his businessman son, Hunter Biden, the committee is focused on two articles charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Democrats have also accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vote-possible-on-trump-articles-of-impeachment-this-week-chairman-nadler-267015">security aid to Ukraine</a> - a vulnerable US&nbsp;ally facing Russian aggression - and holding back a coveted White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to pressure Kiev into investigating the Bidens.

But they appeared to back away from basing one of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-to-spend-weekend-drafting-impeachment-charges-against-donald-trump-266845">articles of impeachment</a> on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian election interference in 2016.

Instead, Democrats suggested they could use Mueller's findings to demonstrate what they describe as a pattern of behaviour by which Trump has sought repeatedly to encourage foreign involvement in US&nbsp;elections and then move to stymie investigators.

Nadler said a visit by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine last week added to a "pattern of conduct" that represented a continuing risk to the United States. Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, is central to the impeachment probe. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Democrats intend to decide which articles to bring forward after Monday's hearing, which will feature testimony from Democratic and Republican lawyers from the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees.

The proceedings will showcase a 300-page report by Intelligence Committee Democrats that levels allegations of sweeping abuse of power against Trump.

"What we're hoping is today we will be able to quickly lay out the facts, bring out the most compelling part of the story and ... make clear the clear and present danger to the country," US&nbsp;Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat on the Judiciary panel, told CNN on Monday.

In a letter to the White House released late on Sunday, Nadler said he was formally providing the report and other materials related to the proceedings except for "a limited number" of items containing sensitive information that would be available for White House review at a secure location in the House.

Republicans have their own, 110-page report, which argues that the inquiry has relied on "unelected bureaucrats" who "fundamentally disagreed with President Trump's style, world view and decisions" but presented no evidence amounting to an impeachable offence.

The head of a US congressional panel leading the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump on Monday accused the Republican president of putting himself before his country and violating his oath of office.

The head of a US congressional panel leading the impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump on Monday accused the Republican president of putting himself before his country and violating his oath of office. In a statement kicking off a hearing in the US House of Representatives to weigh the evidence against Trump, Judiciary Committee Democratic Chairman Jerrold Nadler said there was extensive proof of wrongdoing. "The evidence shows that Donald J. Trump, the president of the United States, has put himself before his country. He has violated his most basic responsibilities to the people. He has broken his oath," Nadler said. "I will honour mine." The hearing on Monday is a key step before determining charges, known as articles of impeachment, that the full Democratic-controlled House is likely to vote on before Christmas. The heart of the issue is whether Trump abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a political rival seeking the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election. Trump denies having done anything wrong and has called the impeachment probe a hoax. The House Judiciary panel is expected to vote by the end of the week on whether to send formal charges to the full House, setting up an inevitable clash with the White House and its Republican allies. No current House Republican has come out in favour of impeaching Trump. Ahead of the hearing, Republicans placed black-and-white signs in the committee room to underscore their argument that Democrats were on a partisan mission to unseat a president who did nothing to merit impeachment. One sign quoted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying, "We cannot accept a second term for Donald Trump." "They’re desperate to have an impeachment vote on this president," Representative Doug Collins, the ranking Republican on the panel, said during the hearing. A vote in the House in favour of impeachment would trigger a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate where a two-thirds vote of those present would be needed to remove the president from office. A conviction is considered unlikely. White House adviser Kellyanne Conway said the White House was not participating in the Judiciary panel's proceedings because cooperating would be "colluding with an illegitimate process." "We're not going to do their dirty work," Conway told reporters at the White House shortly before the hearing began. "Maybe in the Senate if it's a fair trial," the White House may participate, she added. It has been 20 years since Americans last witnessed impeachment proceedings, when Republicans brought charges against Democratic President Bill Clinton arising from a sexual relationship he had with a White House intern. He was acquitted in the Senate. Watch: What's next for Donald Trump? 'Clear and present danger' After weeks of investigation into Trump's request that Ukraine investigate Biden and his businessman son, Hunter Biden, the committee is focused on two articles charging Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Democrats have also accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in security aid to Ukraine - a vulnerable US ally facing Russian aggression - and holding back a coveted White House meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as leverage to pressure Kiev into investigating the Bidens. But they appeared to back away from basing one of the articles of impeachment on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian election interference in 2016. Instead, Democrats suggested they could use Mueller's findings to demonstrate what they describe as a pattern of behaviour by which Trump has sought repeatedly to encourage foreign involvement in US elections and then move to stymie investigators. Nadler said a visit by Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani to Ukraine last week added to a "pattern of conduct" that represented a continuing risk to the United States. Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, is central to the impeachment probe. He has denied any wrongdoing. Democrats intend to decide which articles to bring forward after Monday's hearing, which will feature testimony from Democratic and Republican lawyers from the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees. The proceedings will showcase a 300-page report by Intelligence Committee Democrats that levels allegations of sweeping abuse of power against Trump. "What we're hoping is today we will be able to quickly lay out the facts, bring out the most compelling part of the story and ... make clear the clear and present danger to the country," US Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat on the Judiciary panel, told CNN on Monday. In a letter to the White House released late on Sunday, Nadler said he was formally providing the report and other materials related to the proceedings except for "a limited number" of items containing sensitive information that would be available for White House review at a secure location in the House. Republicans have their own, 110-page report, which argues that the inquiry has relied on "unelected bureaucrats" who "fundamentally disagreed with President Trump's style, world view and decisions" but presented no evidence amounting to an impeachable offence.

Trump impeachment row: Democrat says president violated oath, Republicans attack probe

Democrats gear up for Monday Impeachment hearing .

Trump Impeachment Saga: What's next for Donald Trump?

Nancy Pelosi asks House to write articles of Impeachment .

Today Tonight: House moving forward with Impeachment

A defiant President Donald Trump predicted Thursday he "will win," after the Democratic Speaker of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-has-abused-power-us-house-to-draft-impeachment-charges-against-him-nancy-pelosi-266490">House of Representatives gave the greenlight for impeachment</a>.

"The good thing is that the Republicans have NEVER been more united. We will win!" Trump tweeted.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier asked her party to draft articles of impeachment based on allegations that Trump abused his office by pressuring Ukraine into a scheme to embarrass one of his main opponents for reelection next year.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
....This will mean that the beyond important and seldom used act of Impeachment will be used routinely to attack future Presidents. That is not what our Founders had in mind. The good thing is that the Republicans have NEVER been more united. We will win!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1202606537342160896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2019</a></blockquote>
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While impeachment is expected to pass in the Democratic-led House, the Senate is held by a Republican majority and would likely acquit the US president as his 2020 reelection campaign gathers pace.

Trump tweeted that the "Radical Left Democrats have just announced that they are going to seek to Impeach me over NOTHING."

Echoing a frequent Republican argument, he said that the "important and seldom used act of Impeachment will be used routinely to attack future Presidents. That is not what our Founders had in mind."

A defiant President Donald Trump predicted Thursday he "will win," after the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives gave the greenlight for impeachment.

A defiant President Donald Trump predicted Thursday he "will win," after the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives gave the greenlight for impeachment. "The good thing is that the Republicans have NEVER been more united. We will win!" Trump tweeted. Speaker Nancy Pelosi earlier asked her party to draft articles of impeachment based on allegations that Trump abused his office by pressuring Ukraine into a scheme to embarrass one of his main opponents for reelection next year. ....This will mean that the beyond important and seldom used act of Impeachment will be used routinely to attack future Presidents. That is not what our Founders had in mind. The good thing is that the Republicans have NEVER been more united. We will win! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2019 × While impeachment is expected to pass in the Democratic-led House, the Senate is held by a Republican majority and would likely acquit the US president as his 2020 reelection campaign gathers pace. Trump tweeted that the "Radical Left Democrats have just announced that they are going to seek to Impeach me over NOTHING." Echoing a frequent Republican argument, he said that the "important and seldom used act of Impeachment will be used routinely to attack future Presidents. That is not what our Founders had in mind."

'Will win' impeachment fight: US President Donald Trump

US&nbsp;House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said she has instructed the House Judiciary panel to draft articles of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-lawyer-giuliani-back-in-ukraine-as-impeachment-probe-escalates-266286">impeachment against President Donald Trump</a>.

"The president's actions have seriously violated the constitution," Pelosi told reporters.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a statement early Thursday on the status of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, one day after the House Judiciary Committee began weighing potential charges against the Republican president.

The Democratic-led panel on Wednesday heard from four legal experts as US lawmakers considered whether Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival rose to the level of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-willing-to-compromise-us-security-impeachment-hearing-chair-266274">impeachable offenses</a>.

The hearing came after the House Intelligence panel this week submitted findings from its inquiry into Trump's push for Kiev to launch an investigation related to former US Vice President Joe Biden, a top contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. He also wanted Ukraine to look into the discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 election.

Democrats have accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in security aid to Ukraine - a US ally facing Russian aggression - to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to announce the investigation.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing.

The House may vote by year's end on formal impeachment charges known as articles of impeachment, but Democrats, who control the chamber, say no decision has been made at this point on the specific charges.

Those charges could include abuse of power, bribery, obstruction of Congress and obstruction of justice.

Judiciary panel Democrats on Wednesday also said they may look beyond Trump's relations with Ukraine to include Trump's earlier alleged efforts to impede former US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into his 2016 campaign's relations with Russia, but they stopped short of saying that could trigger a separate charge.

If the House votes to impeach Trump, the Republican-led Senate would hold a trial to decide whether to remove the president from office.

Trump's fellow Republicans in both the House and the Senate have stood by the president.

"If it does come to us, I think it will be along party lines," Republican Senator Rand Paul told Fox News in an interview on Thursday, adding that the "frivolous and partisan" effort could harm vulnerable Democrats in the November election.

&nbsp;

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said she has instructed the House Judiciary panel to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. "The president's actions have seriously violated the constitution," Pelosi told reporters.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said she has instructed the House Judiciary panel to draft articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. "The president's actions have seriously violated the constitution," Pelosi told reporters. US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a statement early Thursday on the status of the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, one day after the House Judiciary Committee began weighing potential charges against the Republican president. The Democratic-led panel on Wednesday heard from four legal experts as US lawmakers considered whether Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate a political rival rose to the level of impeachable offenses. The hearing came after the House Intelligence panel this week submitted findings from its inquiry into Trump's push for Kiev to launch an investigation related to former US Vice President Joe Biden, a top contender for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. He also wanted Ukraine to look into the discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 election. Democrats have accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in security aid to Ukraine - a US ally facing Russian aggression - to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to announce the investigation. Trump has denied any wrongdoing. The House may vote by year's end on formal impeachment charges known as articles of impeachment, but Democrats, who control the chamber, say no decision has been made at this point on the specific charges. Those charges could include abuse of power, bribery, obstruction of Congress and obstruction of justice. Judiciary panel Democrats on Wednesday also said they may look beyond Trump's relations with Ukraine to include Trump's earlier alleged efforts to impede former US Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into his 2016 campaign's relations with Russia, but they stopped short of saying that could trigger a separate charge. If the House votes to impeach Trump, the Republican-led Senate would hold a trial to decide whether to remove the president from office. Trump's fellow Republicans in both the House and the Senate have stood by the president. "If it does come to us, I think it will be along party lines," Republican Senator Rand Paul told Fox News in an interview on Thursday, adding that the "frivolous and partisan" effort could harm vulnerable Democrats in the November election.

Trump abused power, US House to draft impeachment charges against him: Nancy Pelosi

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