Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process.

Public opinion polls show a tight race for the right to take on Republican <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">President Donald Trump</a> in November. US&nbsp;Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden are in a dead heat for first place, with US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg close behind.

The final campaigning before Monday's caucuses took on extra urgency as Sanders, Warren and fellow senators have been stuck in Washington serving as jurors in Trump's impeachment trial and are due to return by Monday morning for closing arguments. Here is what is happening in Iowa <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-debate-six-candidates-face-off-in-iowas-capital-city-des-moines-274306">on the campaign trail</a>:

Settle for Biden

A comedy troupe confronted Biden on Saturday at a town hall in North Liberty, Iowa, prompting an awkward exchange. One of the men stood as Biden was getting underway with his speech and asked the former vice president for advice on how to get his wife back. Biden offered to speak to the man afterwards, but the man persisted.

"I’m beginning to see why your wife left you," Biden said to cheers and laughter at a packed campaign event. Moments later, another man stood up wearing a shirt that mimicked the colours and style of Biden campaign attire but instead said, "Settle for Biden." People chanted "Let’s go Joe" as the comedians exited. The men did not identify themselves to reporters but matched the descriptions of a comedy troupe called The Good Liars that confronts politicians at public events.

<img alt="Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f507c59f-4b4a-4525-9275-405a1006e1bc" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T120135.102.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;A woman attends a Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

That's your job

US&nbsp;Senator Amy Klobuchar <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401">zipped around Iowa</a> on a charter plane to try to hit as many campaign events as possible. Klobuchar is trying to mount a late surge and beat expectations after struggling for the past year to break 10 per cent&nbsp;in polls. Her campaign strategy has relied on spending time on the ground in Iowa, which got derailed by the impeachment trial.

Her final Saturday night event in Beaverdale, a suburb of Des Moines, at her fourth event of the day, she joked about being stuck in Washington. "I'm trying to make up for being gone for 10 days in two days," she said. "I may be the juror in that chamber but you are the jurors in this election. That's your job."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where</a>

This is our moment

Warren may have hit the ground running in Iowa on Saturday, but she took a moment to offer new remarks reminiscing on a year on the campaign trail. “You’ve pressed notes into my hand, you’ve whispered your dreams into my ears, you’ve told me about your lives, about issues, about your ideas on how we can make things better,” she said at an event in Cedar Rapids.

At a Saturday morning event in Des Moines, signs behind her declared "Unite the Party," suggesting that she is best positioned to bring Democrats together to defeat Trump, a new addition to her campaign message in the closing stretch.

<img alt="Warren" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="403e38e5-7e5b-485f-9949-19cc50e69dd5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T120505.783.jpg" /> 
[&nbsp;Emma Patty runs with a sign supporting Democratic 2020 US&nbsp;presidential candidate and US&nbsp;Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Warren fled Washington on Friday night as soon as the impeachment proceedings ended for the day, arriving in Des Moines for a late-night event at a crowded brewery. The bar ran out of clean glasses to keep pouring beer before Warren emerged, holding her husband's hand and dragging him into the crowd.

The pressing need to play catch-up after having been taken off the campaign trail for Trump's trial was evident on Saturday. To save time so she could get to another event, Warren skipped her usual "selfie" line.

“I need to get around to a lot of places in Iowa today and tomorrow,” she said after one event. But she had a worthy substitute: Bailey, her golden retriever, who has become perhaps her most beloved campaign surrogate, would stay for a photo line. “He’s been working on his smile,” she said, as the crowd cooed at a happy-looking Bailey. “He’s ready.”

Sanders supporter boos Clinton

At a Sanders campaign rally on Friday night, one of his high-profile supporters waded into an ongoing fight with Hillary Clinton, his Democratic primary opponent in the 2016 White House contest. In an interview last month, Clinton said no one in the Senate liked Sanders, and she criticized how his supporters treated her after she won the nomination four years ago.

On Friday, when the crowd at Sanders' rally began to boo at the mention of Clinton's name, the moderator interjected, "We're not going to boo here, we're classy here." But US&nbsp;Representative Rashida Tlaib, speaking on a panel at the event, was not having any of it. "No, no. I'll boo. Boo," the congresswoman said. "You all know I can't be quiet, no, we're going to boo. That's all right, the haters will shut up on Monday when we win." On Saturday, she voiced regret.

"I allowed my disappointment with Secretary Clinton's latest comments about Senator Sanders and his supporters get the best of me," Tlaib said in a statement on Twitter, adding the movement "deserved better."

Union flips to Biden

A labour union representing 200,000 transit workers endorsed Biden on Saturday, a shift after having backed Sanders in the 2016 campaign. Sanders has been racking up union endorsements, support that played an important role in his failed 2016 bid for the nomination.

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) announced it is encouraging members to support Biden after a survey of the union's membership found a majority believe the former vice president is the best positioned to beat Trump.

"Joe Biden has been a true champion of working Americans throughout his career," said ATU International President John Costa in a statement. "We know he will fight to rebuild the middle class by restoring the rights of labour, advancing racial justice and equity, and bolstering our economy through an unprecedented investment in public services like transit."

Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process.

Democratic presidential candidates fanned out across Iowa on Saturday for a frenzy of rallies and last-ditch speeches with just two days to go before the rural state kicks off the nominating process. Public opinion polls show a tight race for the right to take on Republican President Donald Trump in November. US Senator Bernie Sanders and former Vice President Joe Biden are in a dead heat for first place, with US Senator Elizabeth Warren and former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg close behind. The final campaigning before Monday's caucuses took on extra urgency as Sanders, Warren and fellow senators have been stuck in Washington serving as jurors in Trump's impeachment trial and are due to return by Monday morning for closing arguments. Here is what is happening in Iowa on the campaign trail: Settle for Biden A comedy troupe confronted Biden on Saturday at a town hall in North Liberty, Iowa, prompting an awkward exchange. One of the men stood as Biden was getting underway with his speech and asked the former vice president for advice on how to get his wife back. Biden offered to speak to the man afterwards, but the man persisted. "I’m beginning to see why your wife left you," Biden said to cheers and laughter at a packed campaign event. Moments later, another man stood up wearing a shirt that mimicked the colours and style of Biden campaign attire but instead said, "Settle for Biden." People chanted "Let’s go Joe" as the comedians exited. The men did not identify themselves to reporters but matched the descriptions of a comedy troupe called The Good Liars that confronts politicians at public events. [ A woman attends a Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden's campaign event in Waterloo, Iowa (Courtesy: Reuters) ] That's your job US Senator Amy Klobuchar zipped around Iowa on a charter plane to try to hit as many campaign events as possible. Klobuchar is trying to mount a late surge and beat expectations after struggling for the past year to break 10 per cent in polls. Her campaign strategy has relied on spending time on the ground in Iowa, which got derailed by the impeachment trial. Her final Saturday night event in Beaverdale, a suburb of Des Moines, at her fourth event of the day, she joked about being stuck in Washington. "I'm trying to make up for being gone for 10 days in two days," she said. "I may be the juror in that chamber but you are the jurors in this election. That's your job." Also Read: US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where This is our moment Warren may have hit the ground running in Iowa on Saturday, but she took a moment to offer new remarks reminiscing on a year on the campaign trail. “You’ve pressed notes into my hand, you’ve whispered your dreams into my ears, you’ve told me about your lives, about issues, about your ideas on how we can make things better,” she said at an event in Cedar Rapids. At a Saturday morning event in Des Moines, signs behind her declared "Unite the Party," suggesting that she is best positioned to bring Democrats together to defeat Trump, a new addition to her campaign message in the closing stretch. [ Emma Patty runs with a sign supporting Democratic 2020 US presidential candidate and US Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Warren fled Washington on Friday night as soon as the impeachment proceedings ended for the day, arriving in Des Moines for a late-night event at a crowded brewery. The bar ran out of clean glasses to keep pouring beer before Warren emerged, holding her husband's hand and dragging him into the crowd. The pressing need to play catch-up after having been taken off the campaign trail for Trump's trial was evident on Saturday. To save time so she could get to another event, Warren skipped her usual "selfie" line. “I need to get around to a lot of places in Iowa today and tomorrow,” she said after one event. But she had a worthy substitute: Bailey, her golden retriever, who has become perhaps her most beloved campaign surrogate, would stay for a photo line. “He’s been working on his smile,” she said, as the crowd cooed at a happy-looking Bailey. “He’s ready.” Sanders supporter boos Clinton At a Sanders campaign rally on Friday night, one of his high-profile supporters waded into an ongoing fight with Hillary Clinton, his Democratic primary opponent in the 2016 White House contest. In an interview last month, Clinton said no one in the Senate liked Sanders, and she criticized how his supporters treated her after she won the nomination four years ago. On Friday, when the crowd at Sanders' rally began to boo at the mention of Clinton's name, the moderator interjected, "We're not going to boo here, we're classy here." But US Representative Rashida Tlaib, speaking on a panel at the event, was not having any of it. "No, no. I'll boo. Boo," the congresswoman said. "You all know I can't be quiet, no, we're going to boo. That's all right, the haters will shut up on Monday when we win." On Saturday, she voiced regret. "I allowed my disappointment with Secretary Clinton's latest comments about Senator Sanders and his supporters get the best of me," Tlaib said in a statement on Twitter, adding the movement "deserved better." Union flips to Biden A labour union representing 200,000 transit workers endorsed Biden on Saturday, a shift after having backed Sanders in the 2016 campaign. Sanders has been racking up union endorsements, support that played an important role in his failed 2016 bid for the nomination. The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) announced it is encouraging members to support Biden after a survey of the union's membership found a majority believe the former vice president is the best positioned to beat Trump. "Joe Biden has been a true champion of working Americans throughout his career," said ATU International President John Costa in a statement. "We know he will fight to rebuild the middle class by restoring the rights of labour, advancing racial justice and equity, and bolstering our economy through an unprecedented investment in public services like transit."

On the campaign trail: Democrats deliver closing arguments with dogs, comedians and planes

The US presidential race begins in earnest Monday when Iowans take the first votes in the process that ultimately determines which Democrat will face incumbent <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Donald Trump</a> in November.

Here are five questions on key aspects of a crowded race that remains wide open ahead of the February 3 Iowa caucuses.

Will septuagenarians rise?&nbsp;

As campaigning ramped up last year, Democrats thirsted for new voices and faces that would ensure the nation's growing diversity is better reflected in the presidential race.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats</a>

More than two dozen candidates with various backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and orientations piled into the battle to see who challenges 73-year-old real estate magnate Trump.

But with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-world-news-trump-revives-border-wall-promise-in-iowa-campaign-speech-and-mocks-his-democrat-coworkers-277639">Iowa</a> looming, four white candidates in their seventies occupy the top spots in national polls.

Former vice president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">Joe Biden</a>, 77, is the national frontrunner, followed by far-left independent Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">Bernie Sanders</a>, 78, and progressive Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">Elizabeth Warren</a>, 70.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/us-presidential-elections-2020-which-democratic-contender-stands-where-277723">US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where</a>

Just this week, former New York mayor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-candidate-bloomberg-vows-to-back-israel-takes-dig-at-sanders-276810">Michael Bloomberg</a>, who turns 78 in February, climbed into fourth place in the Realclearpolitics polling average.

The billionaire businessman surpassed former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, who at 38 is the youngest hopeful in the race.&nbsp;

Bloomberg entered the campaign late and is not contesting Iowa, where Buttigieg is in the top tier challenging rivals twice his age.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-candidate-bloomberg-vows-to-back-israel-takes-dig-at-sanders-276810">US candidate Bloomberg vows to back Israel, takes dig at Sanders</a>

Radical party, or realist?&nbsp;

Who is best positioned to defeat Trump?

Consumed by this central question, Democratic voters must choose among favorites in a field sharply divided between radical progressives and more moderate realists.&nbsp;

It is currently the party's main quandary, underscored by The New York Times as it explained why, for the first time in its 169-year history, its editorial board broke with tradition to endorse not just a single candidate, but two: Warren, representing the more "radical" faction, and Amy Klobuchar, a 59-year-old senator in the "realistic" camp.&nbsp;

Biden and Buttigieg, like Klobuchar, take a more centrist approach while Sanders, a Democratic socialist seeking to win the nomination of a party he has never joined, calls for nothing less than political "revolution."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trumps-impeachment-democrats-lay-out-abuse-of-power-case-276260/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Four states, four winners?

With working-class voters, Midwest farmers, African-Americans or Hispanics seeing different strengths among each of the candidates, a different candidate could potentially win each of the first four early-voting states.

Iowa and New Hampshire (which votes second, on February 11) are largely rural and homogenous. Nevada (February 22) has a large Latino population, while in South Carolina (February 29), black voters represent a majority of the Democratic electorate.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401">Democratic Debate in Iowa</a>

Brokered convention?

Given such a tight race, it is possible that no candidate arrives at the Democratic National Convention on July 13 with enough delegates in hand to claim victory.

Democrats and Republicans both use a complicated process involving pledged delegates proportioned according to primary and caucus results across the nation.

To carry the Democratic torch in the election, one must win a majority of the 3,979 delegates.

If no candidate has a majority, pledged delegates would become free to vote for someone else on the convention's second ballot if their candidate drops out.

Complicating matters, if the convention has no outright winner after the first ballot, more than 700 "superdelegates" -- party officials and insiders who are automatically made delegates -- would then be eligible to vote in selecting the nominee.

Impeachment impact?

The Senate's Trump impeachment trial has had an unprecedented impact on the campaign, particularly in Iowa.

Four senators running for president -- Sanders, Warren, Klobuchar and low-polling Michael Bennet -- spent most of the last two weeks pinned to Washington, denied the personal contact with Iowa voters so vital before the caucuses.

Trump's impeachment by the House of Representatives on December 18 has not changed the political fault lines in an extremely divided country.

About nine in 10 Republicans support the president, and he is expected to be acquitted by the Senate's Republican majority.

The US presidential race begins in earnest Monday when Iowans take the first votes in the process that ultimately determines which Democrat will face incumbent Donald Trump in November.

The US presidential race begins in earnest Monday when Iowans take the first votes in the process that ultimately determines which Democrat will face incumbent Donald Trump in November. Here are five questions on key aspects of a crowded race that remains wide open ahead of the February 3 Iowa caucuses. Will septuagenarians rise? As campaigning ramped up last year, Democrats thirsted for new voices and faces that would ensure the nation's growing diversity is better reflected in the presidential race. Also read: Donald Trump revives border wall promise in Iowa campaign speech, mocks Democrats More than two dozen candidates with various backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and orientations piled into the battle to see who challenges 73-year-old real estate magnate Trump. But with Iowa looming, four white candidates in their seventies occupy the top spots in national polls. Former vice president Joe Biden, 77, is the national frontrunner, followed by far-left independent Senator Bernie Sanders, 78, and progressive Senator Elizabeth Warren, 70. Also read: US Presidential elections 2020: Which Democratic contender stands where Just this week, former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg, who turns 78 in February, climbed into fourth place in the Realclearpolitics polling average. The billionaire businessman surpassed former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg, who at 38 is the youngest hopeful in the race. Bloomberg entered the campaign late and is not contesting Iowa, where Buttigieg is in the top tier challenging rivals twice his age. Also read: US candidate Bloomberg vows to back Israel, takes dig at Sanders Radical party, or realist? Who is best positioned to defeat Trump? Consumed by this central question, Democratic voters must choose among favorites in a field sharply divided between radical progressives and more moderate realists. It is currently the party's main quandary, underscored by The New York Times as it explained why, for the first time in its 169-year history, its editorial board broke with tradition to endorse not just a single candidate, but two: Warren, representing the more "radical" faction, and Amy Klobuchar, a 59-year-old senator in the "realistic" camp. Biden and Buttigieg, like Klobuchar, take a more centrist approach while Sanders, a Democratic socialist seeking to win the nomination of a party he has never joined, calls for nothing less than political "revolution." Four states, four winners? With working-class voters, Midwest farmers, African-Americans or Hispanics seeing different strengths among each of the candidates, a different candidate could potentially win each of the first four early-voting states. Iowa and New Hampshire (which votes second, on February 11) are largely rural and homogenous. Nevada (February 22) has a large Latino population, while in South Carolina (February 29), black voters represent a majority of the Democratic electorate. Also see: Democratic Debate in Iowa Brokered convention? Given such a tight race, it is possible that no candidate arrives at the Democratic National Convention on July 13 with enough delegates in hand to claim victory. Democrats and Republicans both use a complicated process involving pledged delegates proportioned according to primary and caucus results across the nation. To carry the Democratic torch in the election, one must win a majority of the 3,979 delegates. If no candidate has a majority, pledged delegates would become free to vote for someone else on the convention's second ballot if their candidate drops out. Complicating matters, if the convention has no outright winner after the first ballot, more than 700 "superdelegates" -- party officials and insiders who are automatically made delegates -- would then be eligible to vote in selecting the nominee. Impeachment impact? The Senate's Trump impeachment trial has had an unprecedented impact on the campaign, particularly in Iowa. Four senators running for president -- Sanders, Warren, Klobuchar and low-polling Michael Bennet -- spent most of the last two weeks pinned to Washington, denied the personal contact with Iowa voters so vital before the caucuses. Trump's impeachment by the House of Representatives on December 18 has not changed the political fault lines in an extremely divided country. About nine in 10 Republicans support the president, and he is expected to be acquitted by the Senate's Republican majority.

Five questions on the Democratic White House nomination process

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../trumps-west-asia-plan-is-the-last-chance-to- bring-peace-says-jared-kushner-trump-277191">Donald Trump</a> and White House lawyers pushed back on Wednesday against Democratic efforts to have John Bolton testify at the Senate impeachment trial of the president, arguing that the former national security adviser could reveal government secrets.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-files-lawsuits-against-overseas-call-centers-for-making-fake-robocalls-277174">Trump administration files lawsuits against overseas call centres for making fake robocalls</a>

Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it may be an "uphill" fight to garner enough Republican support to compel the 71-year-old Bolton -- seen as a potentially damaging witness to the president -- to testify.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trumps-west-asia-plan-most-of-west-bank-recognised-as-israel-277297">Trump's West Asia Plan: Most Of West Bank Recognised As Israel</a>

Democrats have been pressing for the Senate to subpoena Bolton, who was fired by Trump in September, after reports that his upcoming White House tell-all book corroborates charges that the president withheld military aid to Ukraine in a bid to seek political dirt on his election rival <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../impeachment-trial-of-donald-trump-all-star- defence-team-scared-of-going-near-bolton-276987">Joe Biden</a>.

Republicans hold a 53 to 47 seat edge in the Senate and four Republicans would need to side with the Democrats for Bolton and others to be called as witnesses at Trump's trial for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

"We've always known it will be an uphill fight," Schumer said of getting Bolton to testify.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/trump-impeachment-poll-47-want-trump-out-of-white-house-277104/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Is it more likely than not?" the Democratic senator from New York asked. "Probably, no. But is it a decent, good chance? Yes."

Trump called on Republicans to reject a push for witnesses when the issue comes up for a vote on Friday and blasted Bolton.

"Remember Republicans, the Democrats already had 17 witnesses, we were given NONE!" he wrote on Twitter. "Don't let the Dems play you!"

Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming came out firmly against calling witnesses, echoing the views of the vast majority of his Republican colleagues.

"America has heard enough," Barrasso said. "A majority of Americans are saying this is a waste of time because they know the president is not going to be removed."

Opinion polls on whether Trump should be removed are actually pretty evenly divided but a two-thirds majority -- 67 senators -- is needed to convict the president and the Republicans' 53-47 majority virtually assures Trump will be acquitted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/donald-trumps-impeachment-democrats-present-opening-arguments-at-senate-276009/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

- 'Don't wait for the book'- 
The fight over Bolton intensified as the senators who hold the president's fate in their hands began directly questioning Democratic prosecutors and White House lawyers.

The 100 members of the Senate have 16 hours over the next two days to submit written questions, which are being read aloud by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, presiding over just the third impeachment trial of a president in US history.

Asked whether Bolton should appear, chief Democratic prosecutor Adam Schiff said his testimony was "plainly relevant" and essential to conducting a "fair trial."

"Don't wait for the book," the California lawmaker told the senators sitting as trial jurors. "This case is overwhelmingly clear without John Bolton but if you have any question about it you can erase all doubt."

White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin countered that the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, which impeached Trump on December 18, had conducted their inquiry in a "half-baked partisan fashion" and had not issued their own subpoena for Bolton's testimony.

Having Bolton testify would present "grave security issues," Philbin said.

"He has all of the nation's secrets from the time he was national security advisor," he said.

The White House would seek to prevent his testimony by citing executive privilege and the matter would end up in the courts. "This institution will be effectively paralyzed for months on end," he said.

- 'World War Six' - 
Schiff pushed back against White House arguments that the Senate should let American voters decide Trump's fate in November's presidential election.

"If you say you can't hold a president accountable in an election year where they are trying to cheat in that election then you are giving them carte blanche," he said.

In his book, Bolton reportedly writes that the president told him in August that a freeze in military aid to Ukraine was directly linked to his demand that Kiev investigate Biden, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Trump lashed out at Bolton on Twitter, saying he had shown poor judgment in a job he had begged for and that he hired the veteran diplomat and prominent "hawk" against the advice of others.

"Frankly, if I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now," Trump said. "(He) goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty &amp; untrue book. All Classified National Security. Who would do this?"

The National Security Council said meanwhile that a preliminary review of the manuscript of Bolton's book had found that it contained "significant amounts of classified information" and cannot be published in its current form.

"Some of this information is at the TOP SECRET level," the NSC said in a letter to Bolton's lawyer, adding that "the manuscript may not be published or otherwise disclosed without the deletion of this classified information."

Before the explosive revelations about what Bolton knew, the White House had assumed the trial could be wrapped up with no witnesses and an acquittal by this weekend, just in time for Trump's annual "State of the Union" address before Congress on Tuesday, February 4.&nbsp;

Donald Trump and White House lawyers pushed back on Wednesday against Democratic efforts to have John Bolton testify at the Senate impeachment trial of the president, arguing that the former national security adviser could reveal government secrets.

Donald Trump and White House lawyers pushed back on Wednesday against Democratic efforts to have John Bolton testify at the Senate impeachment trial of the president, arguing that the former national security adviser could reveal government secrets. Also read: Trump administration files lawsuits against overseas call centres for making fake robocalls Senate Democratic Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it may be an "uphill" fight to garner enough Republican support to compel the 71-year-old Bolton -- seen as a potentially damaging witness to the president -- to testify. Also read: Trump's West Asia Plan: Most Of West Bank Recognised As Israel Democrats have been pressing for the Senate to subpoena Bolton, who was fired by Trump in September, after reports that his upcoming White House tell-all book corroborates charges that the president withheld military aid to Ukraine in a bid to seek political dirt on his election rival Joe Biden. Republicans hold a 53 to 47 seat edge in the Senate and four Republicans would need to side with the Democrats for Bolton and others to be called as witnesses at Trump's trial for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. "We've always known it will be an uphill fight," Schumer said of getting Bolton to testify. × "Is it more likely than not?" the Democratic senator from New York asked. "Probably, no. But is it a decent, good chance? Yes." Trump called on Republicans to reject a push for witnesses when the issue comes up for a vote on Friday and blasted Bolton. "Remember Republicans, the Democrats already had 17 witnesses, we were given NONE!" he wrote on Twitter. "Don't let the Dems play you!" Senator John Barrasso of Wyoming came out firmly against calling witnesses, echoing the views of the vast majority of his Republican colleagues. "America has heard enough," Barrasso said. "A majority of Americans are saying this is a waste of time because they know the president is not going to be removed." Opinion polls on whether Trump should be removed are actually pretty evenly divided but a two-thirds majority -- 67 senators -- is needed to convict the president and the Republicans' 53-47 majority virtually assures Trump will be acquitted. × - 'Don't wait for the book'- The fight over Bolton intensified as the senators who hold the president's fate in their hands began directly questioning Democratic prosecutors and White House lawyers. The 100 members of the Senate have 16 hours over the next two days to submit written questions, which are being read aloud by Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, presiding over just the third impeachment trial of a president in US history. Asked whether Bolton should appear, chief Democratic prosecutor Adam Schiff said his testimony was "plainly relevant" and essential to conducting a "fair trial." "Don't wait for the book," the California lawmaker told the senators sitting as trial jurors. "This case is overwhelmingly clear without John Bolton but if you have any question about it you can erase all doubt." White House deputy counsel Patrick Philbin countered that the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, which impeached Trump on December 18, had conducted their inquiry in a "half-baked partisan fashion" and had not issued their own subpoena for Bolton's testimony. Having Bolton testify would present "grave security issues," Philbin said. "He has all of the nation's secrets from the time he was national security advisor," he said. The White House would seek to prevent his testimony by citing executive privilege and the matter would end up in the courts. "This institution will be effectively paralyzed for months on end," he said. - 'World War Six' - Schiff pushed back against White House arguments that the Senate should let American voters decide Trump's fate in November's presidential election. "If you say you can't hold a president accountable in an election year where they are trying to cheat in that election then you are giving them carte blanche," he said. In his book, Bolton reportedly writes that the president told him in August that a freeze in military aid to Ukraine was directly linked to his demand that Kiev investigate Biden, the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination. Trump lashed out at Bolton on Twitter, saying he had shown poor judgment in a job he had begged for and that he hired the veteran diplomat and prominent "hawk" against the advice of others. "Frankly, if I listened to him, we would be in World War Six by now," Trump said. "(He) goes out and IMMEDIATELY writes a nasty & untrue book. All Classified National Security. Who would do this?" The National Security Council said meanwhile that a preliminary review of the manuscript of Bolton's book had found that it contained "significant amounts of classified information" and cannot be published in its current form. "Some of this information is at the TOP SECRET level," the NSC said in a letter to Bolton's lawyer, adding that "the manuscript may not be published or otherwise disclosed without the deletion of this classified information." Before the explosive revelations about what Bolton knew, the White House had assumed the trial could be wrapped up with no witnesses and an acquittal by this weekend, just in time for Trump's annual "State of the Union" address before Congress on Tuesday, February 4.

Trump, White House seek to quash Bolton testimony at Senate trial

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../china-virus-death-toll-passes-100-as-us-canada- issue-travel-warning-276958">Donald Trump</a>'s impeachment trial was expected to be a mere formality, but the Republican-dominated Senate has virtually ruled out removing their President. Or so it seemed before Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton dropped a bombshell in the form of evidence that cuts directly at the root of Trump's defence. The President's lawyers have argued that he never leveraged aid to Ukraine to acquire damaging information against Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-top-court-sides-with-trump-on-immigrant-welfare-benefits-276959">Also read: US top court sides with Trump on immigrant welfare benefits</a>

But from a leaked page of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../trump-had-ukraine-aid-withheld-reveals-boltons -new-book-276814">John Bolton</a>'s upcoming book, it seems the president told his top aide that aid to Ukraine will be withheld. This has increased pressure on Republican senators to give in to the demand for new witnesses, especially since Bolton had expressed his desire to testify, given how the Democrats need only 4 Republicans to join them for a bipartisan majority. Republican senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins said the leaked excerpts highlight the necessity of witness testimony from individuals such as John Bolton.

Trump's team largely avoided the Bolton issue on the floor of the Senate, stating that there was nothing new in the former NSA's leaked accounts. The possibility of Trump's team trying to prevent Bolton from testifying and also discrediting his public comments is plausible. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani was called a 'human hand grenade' in the Ukraine scandal by former National Security Advisor John Bolton.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/donald-trumps-impeachment-democrats-lay-out-abuse-of-power-case-276260/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

These claims were dismissed by Jane Raskin, Donald Trump's impeachment attorney who called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../trump-caught-saying-get-rid-of-ukraine- ambassador-on-tape-report-276592">Giuliani</a> a "colourful distraction, a household name, a legendary federal prosecutor who took down the mafia, corrupt public officials, wall street racketeers. Crime busting mayor, who cleaned up new york and turned it around. A national hero. America's mayor after 9/11. And after that, an internationally recognized expert on fighting corruption."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../white-house-lawyers-say-voters-should-decide- trumps-fate-276578">Joe Biden</a>'s son, Hunter Biden also received a lot of hostility from the President's team, who said that Hunter's decision to join a Ukraine-based company had raised many eyebrows. Pam Bondi, an attorney on Trump's legal team said that "Hunter Biden's decision to join Burma raised flags almost immediately. One article from may 2014 stated the appointment of Joe Biden's son to the board of Ukrainian gas firm Burisma has raised eyebrows the world over. Even an outlet with a bias for Democrats pointed out Hunter Biden's activities created a conflict of interest for Joe Biden. The article stated the move raises questions about a potential conflict of interest for Joe Biden."&nbsp;

But this leak could not have come at a better time for the Democrats, as it helps them to push their case for including new testimonies in the trial. So far the Senate Republicans have rejected this orthodox approach along partisan lines. "I certainly hope so. There seems to be a real shift in where the Republican senators are, and I think it's very hard for them to maintain that they wanted a fair trial. Wanted to know all the facts when there's a witness who said, I'm ready, I've got something to say. We have an outline of what he has to say. It's really hard to say we're not going to hear that," said Adam Schiff, lead House Impeachment Manager.

Donald Trump's impeachment trial was expected to be a mere formality, but the Republican-dominated Senate has virtually ruled out removing their President. Or so it seemed before Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton dropped a bombshell in the form of evidence that cuts directly at the root of Trump's defence.

Donald Trump's impeachment trial was expected to be a mere formality, but the Republican-dominated Senate has virtually ruled out removing their President. Or so it seemed before Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton dropped a bombshell in the form of evidence that cuts directly at the root of Trump's defence. The President's lawyers have argued that he never leveraged aid to Ukraine to acquire damaging information against Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Also read: US top court sides with Trump on immigrant welfare benefits But from a leaked page of John Bolton's upcoming book, it seems the president told his top aide that aid to Ukraine will be withheld. This has increased pressure on Republican senators to give in to the demand for new witnesses, especially since Bolton had expressed his desire to testify, given how the Democrats need only 4 Republicans to join them for a bipartisan majority. Republican senators Mitt Romney and Susan Collins said the leaked excerpts highlight the necessity of witness testimony from individuals such as John Bolton. Trump's team largely avoided the Bolton issue on the floor of the Senate, stating that there was nothing new in the former NSA's leaked accounts. The possibility of Trump's team trying to prevent Bolton from testifying and also discrediting his public comments is plausible. Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani was called a 'human hand grenade' in the Ukraine scandal by former National Security Advisor John Bolton. × These claims were dismissed by Jane Raskin, Donald Trump's impeachment attorney who called Giuliani a "colourful distraction, a household name, a legendary federal prosecutor who took down the mafia, corrupt public officials, wall street racketeers. Crime busting mayor, who cleaned up new york and turned it around. A national hero. America's mayor after 9/11. And after that, an internationally recognized expert on fighting corruption." Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden also received a lot of hostility from the President's team, who said that Hunter's decision to join a Ukraine-based company had raised many eyebrows. Pam Bondi, an attorney on Trump's legal team said that "Hunter Biden's decision to join Burma raised flags almost immediately. One article from may 2014 stated the appointment of Joe Biden's son to the board of Ukrainian gas firm Burisma has raised eyebrows the world over. Even an outlet with a bias for Democrats pointed out Hunter Biden's activities created a conflict of interest for Joe Biden. The article stated the move raises questions about a potential conflict of interest for Joe Biden." But this leak could not have come at a better time for the Democrats, as it helps them to push their case for including new testimonies in the trial. So far the Senate Republicans have rejected this orthodox approach along partisan lines. "I certainly hope so. There seems to be a real shift in where the Republican senators are, and I think it's very hard for them to maintain that they wanted a fair trial. Wanted to know all the facts when there's a witness who said, I'm ready, I've got something to say. We have an outline of what he has to say. It's really hard to say we're not going to hear that," said Adam Schiff, lead House Impeachment Manager.

Impeachment trial of Donald Trump: All-Star Defence team scared of going near Bolton

As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-sanctions-to-negotiate-with-iran-donald-trump-276694">Donald Trump</a>'s impeachment continues in the Senate, his former national security adviser <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-had-ukraine-aid-withheld-reveals-boltons-new-book-276814">John Bolton</a> has confirmed in his new book that Trump&nbsp;had withheld military aid to Ukraine to force the country into probing his rival <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-lawyers-say-voters-should-decide-trumps-fate-276578">Joe Biden</a> and his son <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democrats-accuse-trump-at-impeachment-trial-of-corrupt-scheme-to-pressure-ukraine-276105">Hunter </a>Biden.

According to an unpublished manuscript of Bolton's book accessed by the New York Times, Trump called for a month-long hold on a three-hundred-and-ninety-one million dollars aid to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-zelensky-rejects-pms-resignation-after-leaked-recording-274964">Ukraine</a>&nbsp;which is embroiled in a conflict with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-to-invite-nato-members-for-international-army-games-defence-minister-shoigu-276426">Russia</a>.

Trump allegedly wanted the Ukrainian government to open investigations into the Bidens.

Watch:&nbsp;Trump had Ukraine aid withheld, Reveals Bolton's new book

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-had-ukraine-aid-withheld-reveals-boltons-new-book-276814/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Hunter Biden had served on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm while his father was the&nbsp;US vice-president under ex-president Obama.

The leaked manuscript comes at a time when Democrats are criticising Bolton for refusing to voluntarily testify in the Senate.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-lawyers-say-voters-should-decide-trumps-fate-276578">White House lawyers say voters should decide Trump's fate</a>

The former national security adviser is among the most sought after and high profile witnesses in the Trump trial.

While Bolton himself refused to testify, other national security council members have confirmed that he was concerned with the Ukraine scandal.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-caught-saying-get-rid-of-ukraine-ambassador-on-tape-report-276592">Trump caught saying 'get rid' of Ukraine ambassador on tape: report</a>

Bolton has said that he will testify in Senate only if he is subpoenaed.

Meanwhile, Trump has rejected Bolton's admission saying that his former aide is spreading lies to "sell"&nbsp;his book.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. In fact, he never complained about this at the time of his very public termination. If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book. With that being said, the...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1221663763138588672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The former security adviser's admission comes a day after video from 2018 showed Trump interacting with his donors about Ukraine.

The US president was heard telling Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman&nbsp;that he wanted the American envoy to the Ukraine Mary Yovanovich fired.

John Bolton had served as US national security adviser for over a year and was among highest-ranking officials to express concerns over Ukraine.

His testimony will likely be damning for Trump as he will be his closest aide to testify if he appears before the Senate.

As Donald Trump's impeachment continues in the Senate, his former national security adviser John Bolton has confirmed in his new book that Trump had withheld military aid to Ukraine to force the country into probing his rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

As Donald Trump's impeachment continues in the Senate, his former national security adviser John Bolton has confirmed in his new book that Trump had withheld military aid to Ukraine to force the country into probing his rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden. According to an unpublished manuscript of Bolton's book accessed by the New York Times, Trump called for a month-long hold on a three-hundred-and-ninety-one million dollars aid to Ukraine which is embroiled in a conflict with Russia. Trump allegedly wanted the Ukrainian government to open investigations into the Bidens. Watch: Trump had Ukraine aid withheld, Reveals Bolton's new book Hunter Biden had served on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm while his father was the US vice-president under ex-president Obama. The leaked manuscript comes at a time when Democrats are criticising Bolton for refusing to voluntarily testify in the Senate. Also read: White House lawyers say voters should decide Trump's fate The former national security adviser is among the most sought after and high profile witnesses in the Trump trial. While Bolton himself refused to testify, other national security council members have confirmed that he was concerned with the Ukraine scandal. Also read: Trump caught saying 'get rid' of Ukraine ambassador on tape: report Bolton has said that he will testify in Senate only if he is subpoenaed. Meanwhile, Trump has rejected Bolton's admission saying that his former aide is spreading lies to "sell" his book. I NEVER told John Bolton that the aid to Ukraine was tied to investigations into Democrats, including the Bidens. In fact, he never complained about this at the time of his very public termination. If John Bolton said this, it was only to sell a book. With that being said, the... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 27, 2020 × The former security adviser's admission comes a day after video from 2018 showed Trump interacting with his donors about Ukraine. The US president was heard telling Lev Parnas and Igor Fruman that he wanted the American envoy to the Ukraine Mary Yovanovich fired. John Bolton had served as US national security adviser for over a year and was among highest-ranking officials to express concerns over Ukraine. His testimony will likely be damning for Trump as he will be his closest aide to testify if he appears before the Senate.

Trump withheld aid to Ukraine, reveals Bolton's new book

Democrats&nbsp;accused President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kem-chho-trump-us-president-to-visit-ahmedabad-delhi-in-february-275056">Donald&nbsp;Trump</a>&nbsp;at his&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial&nbsp;on Wednesday of a&nbsp;corrupt&nbsp;scheme&nbsp;to&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;to help him get re-elected and warned that America's global prestige would suffer if the US&nbsp;Senate acquits him.

The Republican&nbsp;Trump, who has denied wrongdoing, sounded a defiant note, telling reporters in Switzerland the&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;did not have enough evidence to find him guilty and remove him from office.

In a two-hour opening argument for the prosecution after days of procedural wrangling, US&nbsp;Representative Adam Schiff said&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;had pushed Ukrainian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-mike-pompeo-to-meet-ukraines-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-on-friday-271101">Volodymyr Zelenskiy</a> to investigate former Vice President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-unveils-17-trillion-climate-plan-to-end-us-carbon-emissions-by-2050-224374">Joe Biden</a> and Biden's son on unsubstantiated&nbsp;corruption charges last year.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3739d001-a792-432b-a9c2-3951a11ce9d4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2858%29_0.jpg" />

"To implement this&nbsp;corrupt&nbsp;scheme, President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;pressured the president of&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;to publicly announce investigations into two discredited allegations that would benefit President&nbsp;Trump's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/giuliani-says-trump-did-not-pay-for-his-push-for-biden-probe-252746">2020 presidential campaign</a>," said Schiff, leading the House&nbsp;Democrats' prosecution team of “managers."

The Democratic team pressed its case against&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;in eight hours of arguments, which will resume on Thursday.

They contend that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;was trying to find dirt on Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination for the November election, and his son Hunter Biden who had served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, to help the president win a second term.

Trump&nbsp;was impeached last month by the Democratic-controlled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-of-representatives-curbs-trumps-war-power-amid-iran-tensions-273283">House of Representatives</a> on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for his dealings with&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;and impeding the inquiry into the matter.

Trump&nbsp;is almost certain to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled 100-member Senate, where a two-thirds majority is needed to remove him from office. But the&nbsp;trial's effect on his re-election bid is unclear.

His fellow Republicans in the Senate say his behavior does not fit the description of "high crimes and misdemeanors" outlined in the US&nbsp;Constitution as a reason to oust a US&nbsp;president.

"We believe without question that the president will be acquitted,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;lawyer Jay Sekulow told reporters at the end of Wednesday's session.

Democrats&nbsp;have two more days to make their case.&nbsp;Trump's defense team will have three days after that for rebuttal in a&nbsp;trial&nbsp;that could potentially conclude next week.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="88829e2f-5219-4d3c-8206-ec5e3cf93062" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2857%29_1.jpg" />

The case against&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;is focused on a July 25 telephone call in which he asked Zelenskiy to open a&nbsp;corruption investigation into the Bidens as well as a discredited theory that&nbsp;Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 US&nbsp;election. US&nbsp;military aid to&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;was frozen for a period of time.

"We have the evidence to prove President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;ordered the aid withheld, he did so to force&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;to help his re-election campaign ... we can and will prove President&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;guilty of this conduct and of obstructing the investigation into his conduct," Schiff said as the day concluded.

Making references to 18th century US&nbsp;founding father Alexander Hamilton and the late Republican President Ronald Reagan, Schiff said the world was watching.

"For how can any country trust the United States as a model of governance if it's one that sanctions precisely the political&nbsp;corruption and invitation to foreign meddling that we have long sought to eradicate in burgeoning democracies around the world?"

He said senators would "also undermine our global standing" if they did not oust&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;three years into his tumultuous presidency.

<img alt="Donald Trump" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8dea501e-b2f9-4a95-ad1c-6dff40ab11be" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2856%29_2.jpg" />

Tuesday's start of the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial&nbsp;drew about 11 million TV viewers, according to Nielsen ratings data, a figure that fell short of the roughly 13.8 million who watched last November for the first day of the House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;inquiry into&nbsp;Trump.

It is the third presidential&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial&nbsp;in US&nbsp;history. The opening days have been dominated by arguments over Democratic requests for more witnesses and records.

The&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;administration has not complied with subpoenas for documents and has urged officials like former national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to participate in the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;investigation.

A Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Wednesday found a bipartisan majority of Americans wanting to see new witnesses testify in the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;trial.

It said about 72&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;agreed that the&nbsp;trial&nbsp;"should allow witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;charges to testify," including 84&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;and 69 per cent&nbsp;of Republicans.

In Davos, Switzerland,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;told reporters at the World Economic Forum that he was happy with the way the&nbsp;trial&nbsp;was going.

"I thought our team did a very good job. But honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said.

Democratic US&nbsp;Representative Val Demings, one of the House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;managers, said&nbsp;Trump's comment amounted to boasting about obstruction of Congress.

"This morning, the president not only confessed to it, but he also bragged about it: 'Honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material,'" she said.

But a senior administration official asked to explain what&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;was referring to, said: "What he's clearly saying is we have all the facts on our side, and those facts prove he's done nothing wrong."

Trump&nbsp;said allowing Bolton to testify at the&nbsp;trial&nbsp;would present national security concerns.

"He knows some of my thoughts, he knows what I think about leaders. What happens if he reveals what I think about a certain leader and it's not very positive?"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said.

Bolton, a foreign policy hawk who was fired by&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;last year, has disdainfully described the&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;campaign as a "drug deal" and testimony from him could be awkward for the president.

A parade of current and former officials spoke at House&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;hearings last year of a coordinated&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;effort to&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;Ukraine.

But those televised hearings did little to change support for and against&nbsp;Trump's&nbsp;impeachment. Reuters/Ipsos polling since the inquiry began shows&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;and Republicans responding largely along party lines.

Democrats accused President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial on Wednesday of a corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine to help him get re-elected and warned that America's global prestige would suffer if the US Senate acquits him.

Democrats accused President Donald Trump at his impeachment trial on Wednesday of a corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine to help him get re-elected and warned that America's global prestige would suffer if the US Senate acquits him. The Republican Trump, who has denied wrongdoing, sounded a defiant note, telling reporters in Switzerland the Democrats did not have enough evidence to find him guilty and remove him from office. In a two-hour opening argument for the prosecution after days of procedural wrangling, US Representative Adam Schiff said Trump had pushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and Biden's son on unsubstantiated corruption charges last year. "To implement this corrupt scheme, President Trump pressured the president of Ukraine to publicly announce investigations into two discredited allegations that would benefit President Trump's 2020 presidential campaign," said Schiff, leading the House Democrats' prosecution team of “managers." The Democratic team pressed its case against Trump in eight hours of arguments, which will resume on Thursday. They contend that Trump was trying to find dirt on Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination for the November election, and his son Hunter Biden who had served on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, to help the president win a second term. Trump was impeached last month by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress for his dealings with Ukraine and impeding the inquiry into the matter. Trump is almost certain to be acquitted by the Republican-controlled 100-member Senate, where a two-thirds majority is needed to remove him from office. But the trial's effect on his re-election bid is unclear. His fellow Republicans in the Senate say his behavior does not fit the description of "high crimes and misdemeanors" outlined in the US Constitution as a reason to oust a US president. "We believe without question that the president will be acquitted," Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow told reporters at the end of Wednesday's session. Democrats have two more days to make their case. Trump's defense team will have three days after that for rebuttal in a trial that could potentially conclude next week. The case against Trump is focused on a July 25 telephone call in which he asked Zelenskiy to open a corruption investigation into the Bidens as well as a discredited theory that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 US election. US military aid to Ukraine was frozen for a period of time. "We have the evidence to prove President Trump ordered the aid withheld, he did so to force Ukraine to help his re-election campaign ... we can and will prove President Trump guilty of this conduct and of obstructing the investigation into his conduct," Schiff said as the day concluded. Making references to 18th century US founding father Alexander Hamilton and the late Republican President Ronald Reagan, Schiff said the world was watching. "For how can any country trust the United States as a model of governance if it's one that sanctions precisely the political corruption and invitation to foreign meddling that we have long sought to eradicate in burgeoning democracies around the world?" He said senators would "also undermine our global standing" if they did not oust Trump three years into his tumultuous presidency. Tuesday's start of the impeachment trial drew about 11 million TV viewers, according to Nielsen ratings data, a figure that fell short of the roughly 13.8 million who watched last November for the first day of the House impeachment inquiry into Trump. It is the third presidential impeachment trial in US history. The opening days have been dominated by arguments over Democratic requests for more witnesses and records. The Trump administration has not complied with subpoenas for documents and has urged officials like former national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to participate in the impeachment investigation. A Reuters-Ipsos poll released on Wednesday found a bipartisan majority of Americans wanting to see new witnesses testify in the impeachment trial. It said about 72 per cent agreed that the trial "should allow witnesses with firsthand knowledge of the impeachment charges to testify," including 84 per cent of Democrats and 69 per cent of Republicans. In Davos, Switzerland, Trump told reporters at the World Economic Forum that he was happy with the way the trial was going. "I thought our team did a very good job. But honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material," Trump said. Democratic US Representative Val Demings, one of the House impeachment managers, said Trump's comment amounted to boasting about obstruction of Congress. "This morning, the president not only confessed to it, but he also bragged about it: 'Honestly, we have all the material. They don't have the material,'" she said. But a senior administration official asked to explain what Trump was referring to, said: "What he's clearly saying is we have all the facts on our side, and those facts prove he's done nothing wrong." Trump said allowing Bolton to testify at the trial would present national security concerns. "He knows some of my thoughts, he knows what I think about leaders. What happens if he reveals what I think about a certain leader and it's not very positive?" Trump said. Bolton, a foreign policy hawk who was fired by Trump last year, has disdainfully described the Ukraine pressure campaign as a "drug deal" and testimony from him could be awkward for the president. A parade of current and former officials spoke at House impeachment hearings last year of a coordinated Trump effort to pressure Ukraine. But those televised hearings did little to change support for and against Trump's impeachment. Reuters/Ipsos polling since the inquiry began shows Democrats and Republicans responding largely along party lines.

Democrats accuse Trump at impeachment trial of corrupt scheme to pressure Ukraine

In response, Sanders' campaign refused to back down and continued to cite the video as evidence that Biden wants to limit the government-run retirement and disability program.

With about two weeks until the primary selection process kicks off in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/democratic-debate-in-iowa-274401#amy-klobuchar-274383">Iowa</a>, Sanders and his campaign have ramped up their attacks on opponents, escalating their criticism of Biden and fellow liberal U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.

<img alt="Joe Biden vs. Bernie Sanders" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2bc7c0ca-230c-4ffd-84bf-498965f1172a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2810%29_14.jpg" /> 
[ Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

Sanders and Biden are locked in a tight, four-way race in Iowa along with Warren and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to win the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in November.

Biden denied wanting to cut Social Security when asked at an Iowa campaign event on Saturday about rumors he wants to change the program, and he lambasted Sanders' campaign.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-debate-six-candidates-face-off-in-iowas-capital-city-des-moines-274306">Democratic debate: Six candidates face off in Iowa's capital city Des Moines</a>

Biden accused "Bernie's people" of putting out a "doctored video" that was edited to appear to show him agreeing with former Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan that Social Security should be privatized.

<img alt="FIle Photo: Joe Biden" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1838ff3c-6d8a-41e9-8f95-39fc979fe731" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2811%29_10.jpg" /> 
[Presidential Candidate Joe Biden (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

"It's simply a lie, that video is a lie," Biden said. "I'm looking for his campaign to come forward and disown it but they haven't done it yet."

In response, Sanders' campaign manager Faiz Shakir doubled down on the attack, saying in a statement, "Biden not only pushed to cut Social Security -- he is on tape proudly bragging about it on multiple occasions."

At the centre of the back-and-forth is a newsletter the Sanders campaign distributed recently that pointed to a speech Biden gave to the Brookings Institution think tank in 2018. Biden is quoted as saying, "Paul Ryan was correct when he did the tax code. What's the first thing he decided we had to go after? Social Security and Medicare."

However, the video of the speech makes clear Biden was actually mocking Ryan for the proposal. He leans into the microphone and says in a deep, menacing stage whisper: "Social Security and Medicare." Biden then goes on to say – in remarks not disseminated by the Sanders campaign – that the tax code needs to be reformed so enough revenue is raised to save Social Security and Medicare.

PolitiFact, an independent fact-checker, rated the Sanders newsletter as false.

In response, Sanders' campaign refused to back down and continued to cite the video as evidence that Biden wants to limit the government-run retirement and disability program.

In response, Sanders' campaign refused to back down and continued to cite the video as evidence that Biden wants to limit the government-run retirement and disability program. With about two weeks until the primary selection process kicks off in Iowa, Sanders and his campaign have ramped up their attacks on opponents, escalating their criticism of Biden and fellow liberal U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. [ Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Sanders and Biden are locked in a tight, four-way race in Iowa along with Warren and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, to win the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in November. Biden denied wanting to cut Social Security when asked at an Iowa campaign event on Saturday about rumors he wants to change the program, and he lambasted Sanders' campaign. Also Read: Democratic debate: Six candidates face off in Iowa's capital city Des Moines Biden accused "Bernie's people" of putting out a "doctored video" that was edited to appear to show him agreeing with former Republican Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Paul Ryan that Social Security should be privatized. [Presidential Candidate Joe Biden (Courtesy: Reuters) ] "It's simply a lie, that video is a lie," Biden said. "I'm looking for his campaign to come forward and disown it but they haven't done it yet." In response, Sanders' campaign manager Faiz Shakir doubled down on the attack, saying in a statement, "Biden not only pushed to cut Social Security -- he is on tape proudly bragging about it on multiple occasions." At the centre of the back-and-forth is a newsletter the Sanders campaign distributed recently that pointed to a speech Biden gave to the Brookings Institution think tank in 2018. Biden is quoted as saying, "Paul Ryan was correct when he did the tax code. What's the first thing he decided we had to go after? Social Security and Medicare." However, the video of the speech makes clear Biden was actually mocking Ryan for the proposal. He leans into the microphone and says in a deep, menacing stage whisper: "Social Security and Medicare." Biden then goes on to say – in remarks not disseminated by the Sanders campaign – that the tax code needs to be reformed so enough revenue is raised to save Social Security and Medicare. PolitiFact, an independent fact-checker, rated the Sanders newsletter as false.

'Simply a lie', Biden accuses Sanders campaign of releasing 'doctored' video

Democratic Debate in Iowa

Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren slammed his friend and another Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday for describing her a candidate for the elite.

Warren said that she was disappointed to know that Bernie was sending volunteers to "trash" her.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elizabeth-warren-and-bernie-sanders-defend-progressive-policies-in-us-democratic-debate-239616">Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders defend progressive policies in US Democratic debate</a>

"Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time. He knows who I am, where I come from, what I have worked on and fought for, and the coalition and grassroots movement we are trying to build. Democrats want to win in 2020. We all saw the impact of the factionalism in 2016 and we can't have a repeat of that," Warren said.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation-267187">Democratic candidate Warren discloses details of past legal work, showing $2 million in compensation</a>

Warren and Sanders are friends and have similar ideological leanings and before this development, both of these candidates avoided a confrontation against each other.&nbsp;

"I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction."

Earlier, a report by Politico claimed that volunteers of Sanders' campaign argue to voters that Warren was supported by "highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what". &nbsp;The report added that Warren's campaign is not motivating people who do not cast their vote.&nbsp;

After the report, Sanders said that he did not approve of talking negative points about other candidates.&nbsp;

"We have over 500 people on our campaign. People do certain things. I'm sure that in Elizabeth's campaign people do certain things as well. But you have heard me for months. I have never said a negative word about Elizabeth Warren who is a friend of mine. We have differences on issues, that's what campaigning is about. But no one is going to be attacking Elizabeth."

He also called Warren "a good friend of mine" and said that nobody would trash her.&nbsp;

"Elizabeth Warren is a very good friend of mine. We have worked together in the Senate for years. Elizabeth Warren and I will continue to work together. We will debate the issues. No one is gonna trash Elizabeth Warren."

(with Reuters inputs)

&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren slammed his friend and another Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday for describing her a candidate for the elite.

Presidential contender Elizabeth Warren slammed his friend and another Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday for describing her a candidate for the elite. Warren said that she was disappointed to know that Bernie was sending volunteers to "trash" her. Also read: Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders defend progressive policies in US Democratic debate "Bernie knows me and has known me for a long time. He knows who I am, where I come from, what I have worked on and fought for, and the coalition and grassroots movement we are trying to build. Democrats want to win in 2020. We all saw the impact of the factionalism in 2016 and we can't have a repeat of that," Warren said. Also read: Democratic candidate Warren discloses details of past legal work, showing $2 million in compensation Warren and Sanders are friends and have similar ideological leanings and before this development, both of these candidates avoided a confrontation against each other. "I hope Bernie reconsiders and turns his campaign in a different direction." Earlier, a report by Politico claimed that volunteers of Sanders' campaign argue to voters that Warren was supported by "highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what". The report added that Warren's campaign is not motivating people who do not cast their vote. After the report, Sanders said that he did not approve of talking negative points about other candidates. "We have over 500 people on our campaign. People do certain things. I'm sure that in Elizabeth's campaign people do certain things as well. But you have heard me for months. I have never said a negative word about Elizabeth Warren who is a friend of mine. We have differences on issues, that's what campaigning is about. But no one is going to be attacking Elizabeth." He also called Warren "a good friend of mine" and said that nobody would trash her. "Elizabeth Warren is a very good friend of mine. We have worked together in the Senate for years. Elizabeth Warren and I will continue to work together. We will debate the issues. No one is gonna trash Elizabeth Warren." (with Reuters inputs)

'I'm disappointed Bernie Sanders sent volunteers to trash me': Elizabeth Warren

US&nbsp;presidential candidate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bloomberg-trump-to-air-dueling-super-bowl-ads-272836">Michael Bloomberg</a> told reporters he is ready to spend much of his vast fortune to oust Republican President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-warns-iran-against-massacre-as-protests-erupt-over-downing-of-ukrainian-airplane-273670">Donald Trump</a> from the White House in 2020, rejecting criticism from rivals for the Democratic nomination that the billionaire is trying to buy the US&nbsp;election.

Ranked by Forbes as the eighth-richest American, Bloomberg has flooded US&nbsp;airwaves and social media feeds with messages that he stands the best chance to beat Trump, spending more on campaign ads since he launched his campaign in November than his main Democratic rivals have over the last year.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Today, people all over the nation are showing their support for our campaign, and I couldn't be more honored, grateful and hopeful for our future. 
 
Together, we will defeat Donald Trump. 
 
Together, we will rebuild America. 
 
Together, we will <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GetItDone?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GetItDone</a>! <a href="https://t.co/jMmIcKExTv">pic.twitter.com/jMmIcKExTv</a>
— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBloomberg/status/1216082774249164800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

"Number one priority is to get rid of Donald Trump. I'm spending all my money to get rid of Trump," Bloomberg told reporters aboard his campaign bus on Saturday, during a nearly 300-mile (483-km) drive across Texas, one of the 14 states that will vote on Super Tuesday on March 3.

"Do you want me to spend more or less? End of story."

US&nbsp;Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-swing-district-democrats-back-joe-bidens-presidential-bid-272511">Elizabeth Warren</a>, one of the leading Democratic presidential contenders who has vowed to get money out of politics, blasted Bloomberg when he launched his campaign with a $37-million TV advertising blitz, accusing the former New York City mayor of trying to buy American democracy.

"These are just political things they say, hoping they catch on and they don't like me doing it, because it competes with them, not because it's bad policy," Bloomberg said.

After entering the race late and missing the first six Democratic debates, Bloomberg generally sits fifth in national public opinion polls behind <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senate-leader-ready-to-pass-impeachment-trial-rules-without-democrats-272835">Joe Biden</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/white-house-gives-lawmakers-formal-notice-of-iraq-strike-amid-complaints-from-democrats-272196">Bernie Sanders</a>, Warren and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation-267187">Pete Buttigieg</a>.

But not just the two liberal standard-bearers of Warren and Sanders, all of the four are too liberal to beat Trump, Bloomberg said.

"One of the reasons I'm reasonably confident I could beat Trump is I would be acceptable to the moderate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/texass-greg-abbott-becomes-first-to-refuse-refugees-order-given-by-president-donald-trump-273510">Republicans</a> you have to have," said Bloomberg, a former Republican who made his fortune selling financial information to Wall Street firms.

"Whether you like it or not, you can’t win the election unless you get moderate Republicans to cross the line. The others are much too liberal for them and they would certainly vote for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-of-representatives-curbs-trumps-war-power-amid-iran-tensions-273283">Donald Trump</a>."

After a late entry into the race, he is skipping the first four Democratic nomination contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina all due to take place in February.

Instead, Bloomberg is waging a nationwide campaign to capture delegates in later contests such as Texas, which will be the second-largest prize among the 14 Super Tuesday states.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Thank you for spending part of your weekend with me, Austin! <a href="https://t.co/u8UidNtflR">https://t.co/u8UidNtflR</a>
— Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBloomberg/status/1216113830176198657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2020</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

At campaign events in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas in Texas on Saturday, Bloomberg said his bipartisan nature made it more likely he could deliver on his pledges to expand health insurance coverage, fight climate change and reduce gun violence.

While his speeches drew modest crowds of no more than a few hundred in Austin and fewer still in San Antonio, many who attended said they were independents or former Trump supporters who had learned about Bloomberg through his massive advertising campaign.

"He’s better than Trump," said Marcelo Montemayor, 75, who listened to Bloomberg speak at a taco restaurant in San Antonio.

Montemayor voted for Trump in 2016 but worries the president’s conservative appointees to federal courts could undermine <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-supreme-court-leaves-kentucky-abortion-restriction-in-place-267309">abortion rights</a>.

Bloomberg's television ads have dominated the airwaves both nationwide and in Texas.

Watch:&nbsp;Donald Trump Vs Michael Bloomberg: The battle of the millionaires

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-vs-michael-bloomberg-the-battle-of-the-millionaires-265992/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

In the top four media markets in the Lone Star State, which include Houston and Dallas, Bloomberg has spent more than $15 million on television ads through mid-January, said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Houston's Rice University, who analyzed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/where-us-presidential-candidates-stand-on-breaking-up-big-tech-258654">Federal Communications Commission</a> records on ad buys.

That exceeds the combined spending nationwide by Democratic frontrunners in 2019, according to a Wesleyan Media Project analysis of Kantar/CMAG television ad data through mid-December.

And for this year's Super Bowl broadcast on February&nbsp;2 in Miami, Trump and Bloomberg both plan to air a 60-second television commercial, a prime example of their ability to devote vast resources to reach millions of viewers.

Trump campaign officials said the campaign paid $10 million for air time. Last year’s <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/former-commissioner-david-stern-dies-at-77-made-league-truly-global-brand-271536">National Football League</a> championship game drew nearly 100 million viewers.

"You can't get to 330 million people by shaking hands. Television is still the magic medium," Bloomberg said.

"If the Super Bowl wasn't a place to get to an awful lot of people they wouldn't be charging a lot, or nobody would be paying it. This is capitalism at work."

US presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg told reporters he is ready to spend much of his vast fortune to oust Republican President Donald Trump from the White House in 2020, rejecting criticism from rivals for the Democratic nomination that the billionaire is trying to buy the US election.

US presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg told reporters he is ready to spend much of his vast fortune to oust Republican President Donald Trump from the White House in 2020, rejecting criticism from rivals for the Democratic nomination that the billionaire is trying to buy the US election. Ranked by Forbes as the eighth-richest American, Bloomberg has flooded US airwaves and social media feeds with messages that he stands the best chance to beat Trump, spending more on campaign ads since he launched his campaign in November than his main Democratic rivals have over the last year. Today, people all over the nation are showing their support for our campaign, and I couldn't be more honored, grateful and hopeful for our future. Together, we will defeat Donald Trump. Together, we will rebuild America. Together, we will #GetItDone! pic.twitter.com/jMmIcKExTv — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) January 11, 2020 × "Number one priority is to get rid of Donald Trump. I'm spending all my money to get rid of Trump," Bloomberg told reporters aboard his campaign bus on Saturday, during a nearly 300-mile (483-km) drive across Texas, one of the 14 states that will vote on Super Tuesday on March 3. "Do you want me to spend more or less? End of story." US Senator Elizabeth Warren, one of the leading Democratic presidential contenders who has vowed to get money out of politics, blasted Bloomberg when he launched his campaign with a $37-million TV advertising blitz, accusing the former New York City mayor of trying to buy American democracy. "These are just political things they say, hoping they catch on and they don't like me doing it, because it competes with them, not because it's bad policy," Bloomberg said. After entering the race late and missing the first six Democratic debates, Bloomberg generally sits fifth in national public opinion polls behind Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders, Warren and Pete Buttigieg. But not just the two liberal standard-bearers of Warren and Sanders, all of the four are too liberal to beat Trump, Bloomberg said. "One of the reasons I'm reasonably confident I could beat Trump is I would be acceptable to the moderate Republicans you have to have," said Bloomberg, a former Republican who made his fortune selling financial information to Wall Street firms. "Whether you like it or not, you can’t win the election unless you get moderate Republicans to cross the line. The others are much too liberal for them and they would certainly vote for Donald Trump." After a late entry into the race, he is skipping the first four Democratic nomination contests in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina all due to take place in February. Instead, Bloomberg is waging a nationwide campaign to capture delegates in later contests such as Texas, which will be the second-largest prize among the 14 Super Tuesday states. Thank you for spending part of your weekend with me, Austin! https://t.co/u8UidNtflR — Mike Bloomberg (@MikeBloomberg) January 11, 2020 × At campaign events in San Antonio, Austin and Dallas in Texas on Saturday, Bloomberg said his bipartisan nature made it more likely he could deliver on his pledges to expand health insurance coverage, fight climate change and reduce gun violence. While his speeches drew modest crowds of no more than a few hundred in Austin and fewer still in San Antonio, many who attended said they were independents or former Trump supporters who had learned about Bloomberg through his massive advertising campaign. "He’s better than Trump," said Marcelo Montemayor, 75, who listened to Bloomberg speak at a taco restaurant in San Antonio. Montemayor voted for Trump in 2016 but worries the president’s conservative appointees to federal courts could undermine abortion rights. Bloomberg's television ads have dominated the airwaves both nationwide and in Texas. Watch: Donald Trump Vs Michael Bloomberg: The battle of the millionaires × In the top four media markets in the Lone Star State, which include Houston and Dallas, Bloomberg has spent more than $15 million on television ads through mid-January, said Mark Jones, a political scientist at Houston's Rice University, who analyzed Federal Communications Commission records on ad buys. That exceeds the combined spending nationwide by Democratic frontrunners in 2019, according to a Wesleyan Media Project analysis of Kantar/CMAG television ad data through mid-December. And for this year's Super Bowl broadcast on February 2 in Miami, Trump and Bloomberg both plan to air a 60-second television commercial, a prime example of their ability to devote vast resources to reach millions of viewers. Trump campaign officials said the campaign paid $10 million for air time. Last year’s National Football League championship game drew nearly 100 million viewers. "You can't get to 330 million people by shaking hands. Television is still the magic medium," Bloomberg said. "If the Super Bowl wasn't a place to get to an awful lot of people they wouldn't be charging a lot, or nobody would be paying it. This is capitalism at work."

Democrat Michael Bloomberg: 'I'm spending all my money to get rid of Trump'

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

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

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

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

US&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;candidate&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-impeachment-row-us-senate-in-stalemate-over-how-to-proceed-272003">Joe&nbsp;Biden</a> on Sunday won the support of&nbsp;three&nbsp;politicians who helped&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;seize control of the House of Representatives in 2018, endorsements that could help bolster arguments he is best positioned to fend off Republicans this year.

The&nbsp;backing by Democratic US&nbsp;Representatives Elaine Luria of Virginia and Chrissy Houlahan and Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania is evidence of support for&nbsp;Biden among&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;in "swing"&nbsp;districts that were held by Republicans before the 2018 vote.

If&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;push the wrong message or candidate during the&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;race, those&nbsp;districts could flip to Republicans.

All&nbsp;three&nbsp;of the lawmakers served in the US&nbsp;military and could help draw attention to&nbsp;Biden's&nbsp;foreign policy experience as a longtime senator and one-time vice president.

Foreign policy has been thrust into the 2020 race by Republican President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/should-iran-strike-us-will-quickly-strike-back-says-trump-272374">Donald Trump's</a> decision to kill Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani with an airstrike on Friday that sharply escalated tensions between the two countries.

Biden, 77, tells voters his experience would be a key asset as president, while his competitors often say voters are looking for something new and focus on aspects of his record they see falling short.

"Joe&nbsp;Biden is 'battle-tested' on the world stage, in Congress, and in the White House," Luria said in a statement released by&nbsp;Biden's&nbsp;campaign. "He will defeat Donald Trump and win in tough&nbsp;districts like mine."

Biden is the front-runner in national public opinion polls among&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;seeking to face Trump in November's&nbsp;presidential&nbsp;election. Voters will also be casting ballots for members of the House, as well as many Senate seats.

Before facing voters in the general election,&nbsp;Biden first needs to win his party's nomination in primaries taking place state-by-state starting next month, and he faces a tough race.

Opinion polls from the very first states that will weigh in, Iowa and New Hampshire, suggest&nbsp;Biden might lose both contests to Senators <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/from-joe-biden-to-donald-trump-music-choices-help-rally-supporters-269653">Bernie Sanders</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/democratic-candidate-warren-discloses-details-of-past-legal-work-showing-2-million-in-compensation-267187">Elizabeth Warren</a> or former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Biden has increasingly been arguing that he is best positioned to help vulnerable&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;win tough elections.

He was recently endorsed by another 2018&nbsp;swing-district&nbsp;House Democrat, Abby Finkenauer of Iowa.

US presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday won the support of three politicians who helped Democrats seize control of the House of Representatives in 2018, endorsements that could help bolster arguments he is best positioned to fend off Republicans this year.

US presidential candidate Joe Biden on Sunday won the support of three politicians who helped Democrats seize control of the House of Representatives in 2018, endorsements that could help bolster arguments he is best positioned to fend off Republicans this year. The backing by Democratic US Representatives Elaine Luria of Virginia and Chrissy Houlahan and Conor Lamb of Pennsylvania is evidence of support for Biden among Democrats in "swing" districts that were held by Republicans before the 2018 vote. If Democrats push the wrong message or candidate during the presidential race, those districts could flip to Republicans. All three of the lawmakers served in the US military and could help draw attention to Biden's foreign policy experience as a longtime senator and one-time vice president. Foreign policy has been thrust into the 2020 race by Republican President Donald Trump's decision to kill Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani with an airstrike on Friday that sharply escalated tensions between the two countries. Biden, 77, tells voters his experience would be a key asset as president, while his competitors often say voters are looking for something new and focus on aspects of his record they see falling short. "Joe Biden is 'battle-tested' on the world stage, in Congress, and in the White House," Luria said in a statement released by Biden's campaign. "He will defeat Donald Trump and win in tough districts like mine." Biden is the front-runner in national public opinion polls among Democrats seeking to face Trump in November's presidential election. Voters will also be casting ballots for members of the House, as well as many Senate seats. Before facing voters in the general election, Biden first needs to win his party's nomination in primaries taking place state-by-state starting next month, and he faces a tough race. Opinion polls from the very first states that will weigh in, Iowa and New Hampshire, suggest Biden might lose both contests to Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren or former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Biden has increasingly been arguing that he is best positioned to help vulnerable Democrats win tough elections. He was recently endorsed by another 2018 swing-district House Democrat, Abby Finkenauer of Iowa.

Three swing-state Democrats back for Joe Biden's presidential bid

Democratic presidential contenders on Friday condemned the airstrike that killed Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani, saying President Donald Trump's decision was reckless and could lead the United States to another war in the Middle East. #JoeBiden #QasemSoleimani #Soleimani #US #Iran #DonaldTrump #WION

Trump's rivals to the White House condemn Iran strike, suggested to avoid war

US&nbsp;Secretary of State <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/mike-pompeo-attempts-us-reset-in-the-middle-east-191020">Mike&nbsp;Pompeo</a>&nbsp;will&nbsp;reaffirm&nbsp;US&nbsp;support&nbsp;for&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;this week, the State Department said on Monday, on the highest-level&nbsp;US&nbsp;visit&nbsp;since President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/donald-trumps-attitude-towards-india-unpredictable-unreliable-238560">Donald Trump</a>'s impeachment over his handling of relations with&nbsp;Ukraine.

Trump's conduct of&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;policy has raised questions about his commitment to the country's security as it battles Russia-backed rebels and seeks to recover Crimea, seized by Moscow in 2014.

A senior State Department official said&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;will stress in talks with Ukrainian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-mike-pompeo-to-meet-ukraines-president-volodymyr-zelenskiy-on-friday-271101">Volodymyr Zelenskiy</a> and other top officials that as "Ukraine&nbsp;faces its challenges, the United States is with them."

Pompeo&nbsp;also will&nbsp;reaffirm&nbsp;US&nbsp;backing of Zelenskiy's anti-corruption reforms, said the official, who could not be further identified under the rules of a briefing on&nbsp;Pompeo's January&nbsp;3-7 trip to&nbsp;Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Cyprus.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on December&nbsp;18 impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from his bid to push Zelenskiy to open investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender to run against Trump in the 2020 election, and a debunked theory on election interference.

The senior State Department official dodged questions about whether&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;would raise with Ukrainian leaders the investigations sought by Trump.

"I can't tell you every topic that's going to come up in those bilateral meetings," said the official.

The House inquiry concluded that Trump sought the investigations in return for granting Zelenskiy an Oval Office&nbsp;visit. It also found that Trump held back $391 million in congressionally approved aid that&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;needed to defend against Russia-backed separatists.

Trump and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, have promoted&nbsp;unsubstantiated allegations that Biden, while vice president, blocked an investigation into the Ukrainian energy firm whose board members included his son, Hunter.

They also have trumpeted a discredited theory that it was&nbsp;Ukraine&nbsp;that interfered in the 2016&nbsp;US&nbsp;presidential election.

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;intelligence community and a bipartisan Senate investigation concluded that Russia interfered to swing the vote to Trump over his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Russia denies the allegation.

The State Department official also evaded questions about whether&nbsp;Pompeo&nbsp;sought the early departure from Kiev of the acting&nbsp;US&nbsp;ambassador, William Taylor, whose testimony was a key factor in the House Democrats' impeachment case.

Taylor is leaving Kiev before&nbsp;Pompeo's arrival even though his term does not expire until mid-January.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will reaffirm US support for Ukraine this week, the State Department said on Monday, on the highest-level US visit since President Donald Trump's impeachment over his handling of relations with Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will reaffirm US support for Ukraine this week, the State Department said on Monday, on the highest-level US visit since President Donald Trump's impeachment over his handling of relations with Ukraine. Trump's conduct of Ukraine policy has raised questions about his commitment to the country's security as it battles Russia-backed rebels and seeks to recover Crimea, seized by Moscow in 2014. A senior State Department official said Pompeo will stress in talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other top officials that as "Ukraine faces its challenges, the United States is with them." Pompeo also will reaffirm US backing of Zelenskiy's anti-corruption reforms, said the official, who could not be further identified under the rules of a briefing on Pompeo's January 3-7 trip to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Cyprus. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives on December 18 impeached Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, stemming from his bid to push Zelenskiy to open investigations into former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender to run against Trump in the 2020 election, and a debunked theory on election interference. The senior State Department official dodged questions about whether Pompeo would raise with Ukrainian leaders the investigations sought by Trump. "I can't tell you every topic that's going to come up in those bilateral meetings," said the official. The House inquiry concluded that Trump sought the investigations in return for granting Zelenskiy an Oval Office visit. It also found that Trump held back $391 million in congressionally approved aid that Ukraine needed to defend against Russia-backed separatists. Trump and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, have promoted unsubstantiated allegations that Biden, while vice president, blocked an investigation into the Ukrainian energy firm whose board members included his son, Hunter. They also have trumpeted a discredited theory that it was Ukraine that interfered in the 2016 US presidential election. The US intelligence community and a bipartisan Senate investigation concluded that Russia interfered to swing the vote to Trump over his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. Russia denies the allegation. The State Department official also evaded questions about whether Pompeo sought the early departure from Kiev of the acting US ambassador, William Taylor, whose testimony was a key factor in the House Democrats' impeachment case. Taylor is leaving Kiev before Pompeo's arrival even though his term does not expire until mid-January.

Pompeo set to reaffirm support to Ukraine: US State Department

US&nbsp;Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Saturday said there would be "no legal basis" for Republicans to subpoena his testimony in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, clarifying remarks from Friday that drew criticism.

"I want to clarify something I said yesterday. In my 40 years in public life, I have always complied with a lawful order and in my eight years as VP, my office — unlike Donald Trump and Mike Pence — cooperated with legitimate congressional oversight requests," Biden said on Twitter.

"But I am just not going to pretend that there is any legal basis for Republican subpoenas for my testimony in the impeachment trial," Biden added.

The statement came one day after Biden said in an interview with the Des Moines Register that he would not comply with a Senate subpoena because it would be a tactic by Trump to distract from the president's wrongdoing.

Some legal experts and commentators had criticized Biden for his remarks to the Iowa newspaper, noting that the White House's refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas was part of the reason why Trump had been impeached.

Trump was impeached on December&nbsp;18 by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of Biden, a former vice president and a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden’s son. Trump has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress’ investigation.

Trump has said he did nothing wrong.

A trial is anticipated in the Republican-controlled Senate to determine whether Trump should be removed from office. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the upper chamber in a bid to pressure Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats on trial rules.

Trump has raised unsubstantiated charges that Biden improperly tried to halt a Ukrainian probe of a company with ties to his son, and has said he wants Biden to testify in the impeachment trial.

Ross Garber, a Washington lawyer specializing in impeachment proceedings, said it was "incredibly unlikely" that Republican senators would back an effort to push for Biden's testimony.

US Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Saturday said there would be "no legal basis" for Republicans to subpoena his testimony in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, clarifying remarks from Friday that drew criticism.

US Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden on Saturday said there would be "no legal basis" for Republicans to subpoena his testimony in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, clarifying remarks from Friday that drew criticism. "I want to clarify something I said yesterday. In my 40 years in public life, I have always complied with a lawful order and in my eight years as VP, my office — unlike Donald Trump and Mike Pence — cooperated with legitimate congressional oversight requests," Biden said on Twitter. "But I am just not going to pretend that there is any legal basis for Republican subpoenas for my testimony in the impeachment trial," Biden added. The statement came one day after Biden said in an interview with the Des Moines Register that he would not comply with a Senate subpoena because it would be a tactic by Trump to distract from the president's wrongdoing. Some legal experts and commentators had criticized Biden for his remarks to the Iowa newspaper, noting that the White House's refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas was part of the reason why Trump had been impeached. Trump was impeached on December 18 by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on two charges over his pressuring Ukraine to announce an investigation of Biden, a former vice president and a top contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, and Biden’s son. Trump has been charged with abuse of power and obstructing Congress’ investigation. Trump has said he did nothing wrong. A trial is anticipated in the Republican-controlled Senate to determine whether Trump should be removed from office. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not yet transmitted the articles of impeachment to the upper chamber in a bid to pressure Republicans to reach an accord with the Democrats on trial rules. Trump has raised unsubstantiated charges that Biden improperly tried to halt a Ukrainian probe of a company with ties to his son, and has said he wants Biden to testify in the impeachment trial. Ross Garber, a Washington lawyer specializing in impeachment proceedings, said it was "incredibly unlikely" that Republican senators would back an effort to push for Biden's testimony.

Facing blowback, Biden clarifies stance on impeachment trial testimony

At every campaign rally, Elizabeth Warren, Democratic candidate for the US presidency, waits to hear the first notes of Dolly Parton's popular country tune '9 to 5' before striding energetically onto the stage to greet wildly enthusiastic supporters. 
 
The musical backdrop to this age-old campaign ritual describes the daily grind of American workers: "Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin' / Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'."

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UbxUSsFXYo4" width="560"></iframe> 
 
The senator's song choice -- others on her list include "Everyday People" and "Respect" -- is anything but accidental, aimed at giving supporters an emotional lift while evoking her own working-class roots.&nbsp; 
 
The 70-year-old Massachusetts progressive is competing against a field of 14 others -- all of them deploying playlists at well-choreographed rallies -- as they seek voters' backing in a race to take on President Donald Trump in elections next November.&nbsp; 
 
"The music employed by candidates is chosen with great care in order to appeal to certain audiences or craft an image of the candidate that resonates with the electorate," Jacob Neiheisel, a political scientist with the University at Buffalo (New York), told AFP.&nbsp; 
 
Senator Bernie Sanders, the feisty, self-declared democratic socialist who is the oldest candidate in the race, opens rallies to the militant tones of John Lennon's "Power to the People," an ode to protest and resistance from the 1970s. He also favors "Takin' It to the Streets." 
 
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4Epue9X8bpc" width="560"></iframe>

And the centrist Joe Biden, who embraces the nickname "Middle-Class Joe," regularly ends his rallies with gravelly voiced country singer Kenny Chesney ("For the teacher in the classroom, kid kickin' cans in the street / ... We say we can when they say we can't"). 
Country music may not export well but it is extremely popular in the American heartland, particularly among more conservative voters.&nbsp; 
 
Biden served eight years as Barack Obama's vice president and never misses a chance to highlight his association with the country's first black president. He includes nearly equal numbers of black and white artists on his playlist.

And Democrat Julian Castro, the only Hispanic candidate in the primary field, strongly favors Latin music -- notably by the late Mexican-American star Selena -- as he reaches out to this important demographic ahead of the 2020 elections. 
 
Bernie and Cardi B&nbsp; 
 
Music also allows candidates to create memorable moments -- a time-tested approach. 
 
Former president Bill Clinton, a Democrat and avid jazz fan, played this card successfully: When he performed Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" on the saxophone in a TV talk show appearance during the 1992 campaign, voters were surprised but largely enthusiastic at this departure from the traditional gray-suited formality of presidential candidates.&nbsp; 
 
Democrats generally do better among young people than their Republican opponents, and music helps them break through to the 18-to-25 crowd, a key demographic if it can be mobilized to turn out and vote.&nbsp; 
 
The team of Pete Buttigieg, who at 37 is the youngest candidate in the field, created buzz with a campy video of campaign aides dancing to "High Hopes" by the group Panic! at the Disco. (An earlier version of "High Hopes," by Frank Sinatra, was the 1960 theme song of John F. Kennedy -- the nation's youngest president.) 
 
The Buttigieg video -- with aides dancing side-to-side, performing handrolls and claps -- has since been imitated many times on social media and is now seen at the Indiana mayor's rallies. 
 
Sanders is quick to highlight supporters from the traditionally Democratic-leaning entertainment world as he works to again mobilize young voters, as he did in 2016.&nbsp;

Having recently had his praises sung by Cardi B -- the former striptease dancer turned rap star -- the 78-year-old with unruly white hair was recently seen on Instagram, arm-in-arm with pop princess Ariana Grande, who has an impressive 168 million followers.&nbsp; 
 
Adele and Queen protest&nbsp; 
 
On the Republican side, President Donald Trump favors popular and patriotic music for his raucous rallies, like Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," a country song from the 1980s that clearly aims to appeal to his political base. &nbsp;

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q65KZIqay4E" width="560"></iframe> 
 
Some choices have been controversial, however. 
 
When Trump aides played Luciano Pavarotti's spellbinding "Nessun Dorma" at rallies -- a song meant to impart a sense of grandeur among the sea of red-hatted supporters -- the late tenor's family protested. The president's values and Pavarotti's, they said, were "incompatible."&nbsp; 
 
Several other artists or their heirs -- the Rolling Stones for "You Can't Always Get What You Want," Queen for "We Are the Champions," as well as Adele, R.E.M. and Neil Young -- have protested what they say is the wrongful appropriation of their iconic tunes at Republican rallies.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

At every campaign rally, Elizabeth Warren, Democratic candidate for the US presidency, waits to hear the first notes of Dolly Parton's popular country tune '9 to 5' before striding energetically onto the stage to greet wildly enthusiastic supporters.

At every campaign rally, Elizabeth Warren, Democratic candidate for the US presidency, waits to hear the first notes of Dolly Parton's popular country tune '9 to 5' before striding energetically onto the stage to greet wildly enthusiastic supporters. The musical backdrop to this age-old campaign ritual describes the daily grind of American workers: "Workin' 9 to 5, what a way to make a livin' / Barely gettin' by, it's all takin' and no givin'." The senator's song choice -- others on her list include "Everyday People" and "Respect" -- is anything but accidental, aimed at giving supporters an emotional lift while evoking her own working-class roots. The 70-year-old Massachusetts progressive is competing against a field of 14 others -- all of them deploying playlists at well-choreographed rallies -- as they seek voters' backing in a race to take on President Donald Trump in elections next November. "The music employed by candidates is chosen with great care in order to appeal to certain audiences or craft an image of the candidate that resonates with the electorate," Jacob Neiheisel, a political scientist with the University at Buffalo (New York), told AFP. Senator Bernie Sanders, the feisty, self-declared democratic socialist who is the oldest candidate in the race, opens rallies to the militant tones of John Lennon's "Power to the People," an ode to protest and resistance from the 1970s. He also favors "Takin' It to the Streets." And the centrist Joe Biden, who embraces the nickname "Middle-Class Joe," regularly ends his rallies with gravelly voiced country singer Kenny Chesney ("For the teacher in the classroom, kid kickin' cans in the street / ... We say we can when they say we can't"). Country music may not export well but it is extremely popular in the American heartland, particularly among more conservative voters. Biden served eight years as Barack Obama's vice president and never misses a chance to highlight his association with the country's first black president. He includes nearly equal numbers of black and white artists on his playlist. And Democrat Julian Castro, the only Hispanic candidate in the primary field, strongly favors Latin music -- notably by the late Mexican-American star Selena -- as he reaches out to this important demographic ahead of the 2020 elections. Bernie and Cardi B Music also allows candidates to create memorable moments -- a time-tested approach. Former president Bill Clinton, a Democrat and avid jazz fan, played this card successfully: When he performed Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" on the saxophone in a TV talk show appearance during the 1992 campaign, voters were surprised but largely enthusiastic at this departure from the traditional gray-suited formality of presidential candidates. Democrats generally do better among young people than their Republican opponents, and music helps them break through to the 18-to-25 crowd, a key demographic if it can be mobilized to turn out and vote. The team of Pete Buttigieg, who at 37 is the youngest candidate in the field, created buzz with a campy video of campaign aides dancing to "High Hopes" by the group Panic! at the Disco. (An earlier version of "High Hopes," by Frank Sinatra, was the 1960 theme song of John F. Kennedy -- the nation's youngest president.) The Buttigieg video -- with aides dancing side-to-side, performing handrolls and claps -- has since been imitated many times on social media and is now seen at the Indiana mayor's rallies. Sanders is quick to highlight supporters from the traditionally Democratic-leaning entertainment world as he works to again mobilize young voters, as he did in 2016. Having recently had his praises sung by Cardi B -- the former striptease dancer turned rap star -- the 78-year-old with unruly white hair was recently seen on Instagram, arm-in-arm with pop princess Ariana Grande, who has an impressive 168 million followers. Adele and Queen protest On the Republican side, President Donald Trump favors popular and patriotic music for his raucous rallies, like Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA," a country song from the 1980s that clearly aims to appeal to his political base. Some choices have been controversial, however. When Trump aides played Luciano Pavarotti's spellbinding "Nessun Dorma" at rallies -- a song meant to impart a sense of grandeur among the sea of red-hatted supporters -- the late tenor's family protested. The president's values and Pavarotti's, they said, were "incompatible." Several other artists or their heirs -- the Rolling Stones for "You Can't Always Get What You Want," Queen for "We Are the Champions," as well as Adele, R.E.M. and Neil Young -- have protested what they say is the wrongful appropriation of their iconic tunes at Republican rallies.

From Joe Biden to Donald Trump, music choices help rally supporters

Trump impeachment saga: What you need to know ahead of the vote

As Democrats set to vote on impeaching the US president, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-on-track-to-become-third-us-president-to-be-impeached-268809">Trump in a tweet</a> said he has done nothing wrong, while adding that it was "terrible thing".

"Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the radical Left, do nothing Democrats, and I did nothing wrong! A terrible thing. Read the transcripts," Trump said, adding,"This should never happen to another President again."

Trump had earlier told US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in a letter that "history will judge you harshly." The US president accussed Pelosi of "declaring open war on American Democracy."

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/demonstrators-take-to-the-streets-in-new-york-to-rally-for-trump-impeachment-268920/embed" width="560" height="350" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" autoplay=1 allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

President Trump is only the third US leader to ever be impeached. The US president is accussed of forcing Ukraine into a probe into a main 2020 re-election rival, Joe Biden. The US president is also accused of obstructing Congress by refusing to cooperate with the impeachment investigation.

The two articles of impeachment will be voted by the Democrats today. It will then be presented to the Senate in January while the Democrats hold a majority in the House of Representatives, the Republicans are in majority in the Senate.

Richard Nixon had quit office before being impeached in 1974. In 1999, 45 Democratic Senators had stayed united against the 55 Republicans to block a two-thirds vote for conviction against Clinton.

As Democrats set to vote on impeaching the US president, Trump in a tweet said he has done nothing wrong, while adding that it was "terrible thing". "Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the radical Left, do nothing Democrats, and I did nothing wrong!

As Democrats set to vote on impeaching the US president, Trump in a tweet said he has done nothing wrong, while adding that it was "terrible thing". "Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the radical Left, do nothing Democrats, and I did nothing wrong! A terrible thing. Read the transcripts," Trump said, adding,"This should never happen to another President again." Trump had earlier told US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi in a letter that "history will judge you harshly." The US president accussed Pelosi of "declaring open war on American Democracy." Watch Video: President Trump is only the third US leader to ever be impeached. The US president is accussed of forcing Ukraine into a probe into a main 2020 re-election rival, Joe Biden. The US president is also accused of obstructing Congress by refusing to cooperate with the impeachment investigation. The two articles of impeachment will be voted by the Democrats today. It will then be presented to the Senate in January while the Democrats hold a majority in the House of Representatives, the Republicans are in majority in the Senate. Richard Nixon had quit office before being impeached in 1974. In 1999, 45 Democratic Senators had stayed united against the 55 Republicans to block a two-thirds vote for conviction against Clinton.

I did nothing wrong, says Trump ahead of impeachment vote in US House

Democrats in the US House of Representatives on Friday took Republican President Donald Trump to the brink of impeachment by approving two charges against him over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives on Friday took Republican President Donald Trump to the brink of impeachment by approving two charges against him over his efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Democratic political rival Joe Biden. A divided House Judiciary Committee voted 23-17 along party lines to approve articles of impeachment charging Trump with abusing the power of his office over the Ukraine scandal and obstructing House Democrats' attempts to investigate him for it. Trump is expected to become the third U.S. president to be impeached when the full Democratic-led House votes on the charges, likely next week, setting up a trial in the Republican-controlled Senate. Trump's fellow Republicans have shown no signs of wanting to remove Trump from office. In congressional hearings that have gripped Washington, Democrats accused the president of endangering the U.S. Constitution, jeopardizing national security and undermining the integrity of the 2020 election by asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy in a July phone call to investigate Biden. "Today is a solemn and sad day," said Representative Jerrold Nadler, the judiciary committee's Democratic chairman. "For the third time in a little over a century and a half, the House Judiciary Committee has voted articles of impeachment against the president." Republicans have defended Trump and accused Democrats of a politically motivated farce aimed at overturning his surprise 2016 presidential election victory. "Impeachment is a hoax. It's a sham," Trump told reporters at the White House after the committee's vote. "There was nothing done wrong. To use the power of impeachment for this nonsense is an embarrassment to this country." If impeached, Trump is due to go on trial in the Senate in January just as the 2020 presidential campaign, in which he is seeking re-election, picks up speed. He said he thought Americans "are absolutely disgusted" with the process, but that it was benefiting him. "It's a very sad thing for our country, but it seems to be good for me politically," Trump said. Biden, a former U.S. vice president, is a leading Democratic candidate to face Trump in the Nov. 3 election. Trump has alleged that Biden was involved in corruption in Ukraine and should be investigated there, but has offered no evidence. Biden has denied wrongdoing. ABUSE CHARGE The abuse of power charge also accuses Trump of freezing nearly $400 million in U.S. security aid to Ukraine and offering a possible White House meeting to Zelenskiy to get him to publicly announce investigations of Biden and his son Hunter, who was on the board of a Ukrainian gas company. Trump also asked Ukraine to investigate a debunked theory that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. The obstruction charge against Trump is based on his directives to current and former administration officials such as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry, even if that meant defying subpoenas. A senior Democratic aide said the tentative plans are for a debate as soon as Wednesday on the floor of the House followed by a vote that same day or Thursday on whether to approve the articles of impeachment and send Trump for trial. There must be 216 votes in favor for impeachment to go ahead. Democrats hold 233 seats, compared with 197 Republicans and one independent. Republicans say the president did nothing improper in his call with Zelenskiy, and that there is no direct evidence he withheld aid or a White House meeting in exchange for a favor. The upheaval has not seemed to concern investors. U.S. stocks hit fresh record highs on Friday on optimism over a possible trade deal between China and the United States before paring gains. No U.S. president has been removed as a direct result of impeachment. Republican Richard Nixon resigned before he could be impeached for the Watergate scandal, and Democrats Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton were impeached by the House but not convicted by the Senate. Twenty Republican senators would have to join all 45 Democrats and two independents who caucus with the Democrats to vote to remove Trump from office. The trial would be presided over by U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts. The length of the proceedings would depend on whether witnesses were called, a decision that is up to a majority vote in the chamber. Trump has signaled an interest in calling many witnesses, including Biden and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, believing a big trial would be good for Republicans. A lengthy trial would eat up weeks of time ahead of the first Democratic presidential nominating contests in Iowa and New Hampshire in early February. Influential Republican senators have said they want to keep any trial as short as possible. "This needs to come to a quick end," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, a Republican who is a staunch defender of Trump, wrote on Twitter. Trump said on Friday he was open to either a short or long process in the Senate. "I'll do whatever I want ... So I'll do long or short," he said. "I wouldn't mind a long process, because I'd like to see the whistleblower, who's a fraud," Trump said, referring to the anonymous intelligence official who set off the House impeachment investigation by raising a flag about Trump's call with Zelenskiy in a whistleblower complaint. A Democratic lawmaker called on Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican, to recuse himself from the trial after he said on Thursday he was coordinating his approach with the White House counsel. "He has effectively promised to let President Trump manage his own impeachment trial. The Senator must withdraw," Representative Val Demings said in a statement.

Trump impeachment looms as US House committee approves charges

Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden says his family members would not engage in any business abroad if he were to win the White House next year, citing the activities of Donald Trump's children as problematic.

But the former vice president defended his son Hunter's work on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, which has become a focus for Republicans in the impeachment probe swirling around Trump.

"They will not be engaged in any foreign business because of what's happened in this administration," Biden said in an interview with "Axios on HBO" that aired Sunday on the cable network.

"No one's going to be seeking patents for things from China. No one's going to be engaged in that kind of thing," he added.

"If you want to talk about problems, let's talk about Trump's family."

During Trump's administration, his daughter Ivanka -- a senior White House aide -- obtained initial approval for a number of trademarks for her fashion label, which has since closed.

The wide-ranging interview was part of a media blitz as the 77-year-old looks to consolidate his position as the frontrunner in the Democratic Party contest to take on Trump in 2020.

Biden was adamant in his defence of his son's work at Burisma, which has been the target of corruption accusations, though Hunter Biden has not been personally accused of criminal wrongdoing.

He admitted, however, he didn't know what Hunter's responsibilities were at Burisma.

"I don't know what he was doing. I know he was on the board. I found out he was on the board after he was on the board and that was it," Biden said.&nbsp;

Asked whether he wanted to know more, Biden said, "No. Because I trust my son."

"You know there's not one single bit of evidence, not one little tiny bit, to say anything done was wrong. You know that," a combative Biden added.

Democrats accuse Trump of linking military aid and a White House meeting for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a request that Kiev investigate Joe and Hunter Biden.

Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden says his family members would not engage in any business abroad if he were to win the White House next year, citing the activities of Donald Trump's children as problematic.

Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden says his family members would not engage in any business abroad if he were to win the White House next year, citing the activities of Donald Trump's children as problematic. But the former vice president defended his son Hunter's work on the board of a Ukrainian gas company, which has become a focus for Republicans in the impeachment probe swirling around Trump. "They will not be engaged in any foreign business because of what's happened in this administration," Biden said in an interview with "Axios on HBO" that aired Sunday on the cable network. "No one's going to be seeking patents for things from China. No one's going to be engaged in that kind of thing," he added. "If you want to talk about problems, let's talk about Trump's family." During Trump's administration, his daughter Ivanka -- a senior White House aide -- obtained initial approval for a number of trademarks for her fashion label, which has since closed. The wide-ranging interview was part of a media blitz as the 77-year-old looks to consolidate his position as the frontrunner in the Democratic Party contest to take on Trump in 2020. Biden was adamant in his defence of his son's work at Burisma, which has been the target of corruption accusations, though Hunter Biden has not been personally accused of criminal wrongdoing. He admitted, however, he didn't know what Hunter's responsibilities were at Burisma. "I don't know what he was doing. I know he was on the board. I found out he was on the board after he was on the board and that was it," Biden said. Asked whether he wanted to know more, Biden said, "No. Because I trust my son." "You know there's not one single bit of evidence, not one little tiny bit, to say anything done was wrong. You know that," a combative Biden added. Democrats accuse Trump of linking military aid and a White House meeting for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a request that Kiev investigate Joe and Hunter Biden.

Biden says no foreign business for family if he wins White House

With support for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-democrats-back-on-2020-campaign-trail-after-debate-attacks-on-warren-256253">Elizabeth Warren's </a>White House bid sliding since the release last month of a divisive plan to overhaul healthcare, the Democratic presidential contender has made an effort to refocus her campaign in early-voting Iowa on her signature anti-corruption message.

Some supporters worry that shift could end up hurting the Massachusetts senator, however. Now that Warren has put her $20.5-trillion Medicare For All plan on the table, they want the candidate to try harder to win over doubting voters.

"I don't think she should brush it under the rug," retired teacher and Warren backer Karla Thompson, 60, said at a town hall in Marion, where her wife told the candidate she was worried about the plan. "That's what will make or break her."

For the moment, Warren appears to be treading carefully on the issue.

While she said little about Medicare for All while campaigning in Iowa last week, her campaign there has been mobilizing outside experts to hold town halls and educational house parties to convert skeptics, making an aggressive outreach in the crucial state that will kick off the nominating contests.

In three Iowa town halls, Warren mentioned Medicare for All only after asked or fleetingly at the end of her stump speeches. Her campaign, however, planned to host at least eight healthcare-specific events in the state over the following week, along with general policy discussions and trainings for the Feb. 3 caucuses.

The outreach reflects how the controversy around her proposal has become a central issue for Warren - even though she never set out to have it define her White House bid.

For months, Warren has been running on a populist message of fighting Washington corruption and Wall Street greed. But her promise to expand government health insurance coverage without raising middle-class taxes is what has drawn the most attacks from rivals who say it is unrealistic and from some voters concerned it is too extreme.

Warren's momentum has stalled in the month since she announced how she would finance and implement the system, a policy previously tied most closely to US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is also in the race.

A Nov. 6-13 CBS News/YouGov poll put Warren in fourth place in Iowa, trailing Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana. The same poll in mid-October had her tied for first with Biden.

Iowa state Senator Clair Celsi, who endorsed Warren, has suggested the campaign produce explanatory videos to persuade people leery of the proposal, just as she used to be.

"I think the people who are most critical of Medicare for All don't even know what it is," Celsi said.

The campaign would not comment on its efforts, but it has dispatched Iowa state policy director Spencer Dixon to educate voters, held deep-dive policy sessions and tapped local physicians to hold forth at house parties.

"I've got a lot of plans, and I'm glad to have a chance to talk about them," Warren told reporters at an event last week at the University of Iowa, where she did not mention Medicare for All when asked how she would ensure quality healthcare for all women.

Gail Krupa, 75, said that was a missed opportunity. Krupa plans to caucus for Warren but fears not making an overt case for Medicare for All could hurt her chances.

"This would be a great place to go into the details," Krupa said of the university town. "I don't want her to lose votes over it."

With support for Elizabeth Warren's White House bid sliding since the release last month of a divisive plan to overhaul healthcare, the Democratic presidential contender has made an effort to refocus her campaign in early-voting Iowa on her signature anti-corruption message.

With support for Elizabeth Warren's White House bid sliding since the release last month of a divisive plan to overhaul healthcare, the Democratic presidential contender has made an effort to refocus her campaign in early-voting Iowa on her signature anti-corruption message. Some supporters worry that shift could end up hurting the Massachusetts senator, however. Now that Warren has put her $20.5-trillion Medicare For All plan on the table, they want the candidate to try harder to win over doubting voters. "I don't think she should brush it under the rug," retired teacher and Warren backer Karla Thompson, 60, said at a town hall in Marion, where her wife told the candidate she was worried about the plan. "That's what will make or break her." For the moment, Warren appears to be treading carefully on the issue. While she said little about Medicare for All while campaigning in Iowa last week, her campaign there has been mobilizing outside experts to hold town halls and educational house parties to convert skeptics, making an aggressive outreach in the crucial state that will kick off the nominating contests. In three Iowa town halls, Warren mentioned Medicare for All only after asked or fleetingly at the end of her stump speeches. Her campaign, however, planned to host at least eight healthcare-specific events in the state over the following week, along with general policy discussions and trainings for the Feb. 3 caucuses. The outreach reflects how the controversy around her proposal has become a central issue for Warren - even though she never set out to have it define her White House bid. For months, Warren has been running on a populist message of fighting Washington corruption and Wall Street greed. But her promise to expand government health insurance coverage without raising middle-class taxes is what has drawn the most attacks from rivals who say it is unrealistic and from some voters concerned it is too extreme. Warren's momentum has stalled in the month since she announced how she would finance and implement the system, a policy previously tied most closely to US Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who is also in the race. A Nov. 6-13 CBS News/YouGov poll put Warren in fourth place in Iowa, trailing Sanders, former Vice President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana. The same poll in mid-October had her tied for first with Biden. Iowa state Senator Clair Celsi, who endorsed Warren, has suggested the campaign produce explanatory videos to persuade people leery of the proposal, just as she used to be. "I think the people who are most critical of Medicare for All don't even know what it is," Celsi said. The campaign would not comment on its efforts, but it has dispatched Iowa state policy director Spencer Dixon to educate voters, held deep-dive policy sessions and tapped local physicians to hold forth at house parties. "I've got a lot of plans, and I'm glad to have a chance to talk about them," Warren told reporters at an event last week at the University of Iowa, where she did not mention Medicare for All when asked how she would ensure quality healthcare for all women. Gail Krupa, 75, said that was a missed opportunity. Krupa plans to caucus for Warren but fears not making an overt case for Medicare for All could hurt her chances. "This would be a great place to go into the details," Krupa said of the university town. "I don't want her to lose votes over it."

As poll numbers slide, Elizabeth Warren wrestles with Medicare for All dilemma

Democrats in the US&nbsp;House of Representatives will spend the weekend on Capitol Hill preparing for what could be the final week of their months-old impeachment inquiry that has imperiled <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/will-win-impeachment-fight-us-president-donald-trump-266504">Donald Trump's presidency</a>.

The House Judiciary Committee's Democratic lawmakers are due to meet on Saturday and Sunday behind closed doors to sift through evidence against the Republican president and draft formal charges, known as articles of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-has-abused-power-us-house-to-draft-impeachment-charges-against-him-nancy-pelosi-266490">impeachment</a>, that the panel could recommend for a full House vote as early as Thursday.

On Friday, the White House told committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler it would not take part in the panel's hearings and condemned the inquiry as "completely baseless."

Nadler expressed disappointment in a statement: "The American people deserve answers from President Trump."

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi directed the committee to draw up the charges on Thursday after weeks of investigation into Trump's request that Ukraine investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face the president in the 2020 US&nbsp;election.

Passage of formal charges in the Democratic-led House, now seen as all but certain, would lead to a trial in the Senate on whether to remove Trump from office. The Republicans who control the Senate have shown little sign of supporting Trump's removal.

While Trump has refused to cooperate with the House probe, he has made clear his lawyers will mount a defense in a Senate trial, where he believes he will prevail.

The Judiciary Committee is focused on two possible articles of impeachment that would accuse the president of abuse of power in his dealings with Ukraine and obstruction of Congress for refusing to cooperate with investigating committees.

Democrats also need to settle the question of whether to draft a third article alleging obstruction of justice based on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on the federal investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.

"That's something that we'll decide this weekend," Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell told reporters on Friday.

The probe has focused on a July 25 telephone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter, and into a discredited theory promoted by Trump and his allies that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 election.

Hunter Biden joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was vice president. Trump has accused the Bidens of corruption. They have denied wrongdoing and the allegations have not been substantiated.

Democrats also have accused Trump of abusing his power by withholding $391 million in security aid to Ukraine - a vulnerable US&nbsp;ally facing Russian aggression - and holding back a coveted White House meeting with Zelenskiy as leverage to pressure Kiev into investigating the Bidens.

The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday. Republicans have also called for a full day of proceedings to examine their own evidence, including a 110-page report saying the inquiry had found no evidence of an impeachable offense.

They have presented their own list of requested witnesses, including Hunter Biden and the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry. Nadler is considered unlikely to call them to testify.

Trump is the fourth US&nbsp;president to face impeachment proceedings. None were removed from office, although Richard Nixon resigned as he faced almost certain impeachment in 1974 over the Watergate scandal. 
&nbsp;

Democrats in the US House of Representatives will spend the weekend on Capitol Hill preparing for what could be the final week of their months-old impeachment inquiry that has imperiled Donald Trump's presidency.

Democrats in the US House of Representatives will spend the weekend on Capitol Hill preparing for what could be the final week of their months-old impeachment inquiry that has imperiled Donald Trump's presidency. The House Judiciary Committee's Democratic lawmakers are due to meet on Saturday and Sunday behind closed doors to sift through evidence against the Republican president and draft formal charges, known as articles of impeachment, that the panel could recommend for a full House vote as early as Thursday. On Friday, the White House told committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler it would not take part in the panel's hearings and condemned the inquiry as "completely baseless." Nadler expressed disappointment in a statement: "The American people deserve answers from President Trump." House Speaker Nancy Pelosi directed the committee to draw up the charges on Thursday after weeks of investigation into Trump's request that Ukraine investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face the president in the 2020 US election. Passage of formal charges in the Democratic-led House, now seen as all but certain, would lead to a trial in the Senate on whether to remove Trump from office. The Republicans who control the Senate have shown little sign of supporting Trump's removal. While Trump has refused to cooperate with the House probe, he has made clear his lawyers will mount a defense in a Senate trial, where he believes he will prevail. The Judiciary Committee is focused on two possible articles of impeachment that would accuse the president of abuse of power in his dealings with Ukraine and obstruction of Congress for refusing to cooperate with investigating committees. Democrats also need to settle the question of whether to draft a third article alleging obstruction of justice based on former Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on the federal investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. "That's something that we'll decide this weekend," Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell told reporters on Friday. The probe has focused on a July 25 telephone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to open an investigation into Biden and his son Hunter, and into a discredited theory promoted by Trump and his allies that Ukraine, not Russia, meddled in the 2016 election. Hunter Biden joined the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma while his father was vice president. Trump has accused the Bidens of corruption. They have denied wrongdoing and the allegations have not been substantiated. Democrats also have 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 Zelenskiy as leverage to pressure Kiev into investigating the Bidens. The Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on Monday. Republicans have also called for a full day of proceedings to examine their own evidence, including a 110-page report saying the inquiry had found no evidence of an impeachable offense. They have presented their own list of requested witnesses, including Hunter Biden and the anonymous whistleblower whose complaint sparked the impeachment inquiry. Nadler is considered unlikely to call them to testify. Trump is the fourth US president to face impeachment proceedings. None were removed from office, although Richard Nixon resigned as he faced almost certain impeachment in 1974 over the Watergate scandal.

Democrats to spend weekend drafting impeachment charges against Donald Trump

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden snapped at a questioner during a campaign event in Iowa on Thursday after the man asked about his son's business dealings in Ukraine.

Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden snapped at a questioner during a campaign event in Iowa on Thursday after the man asked about his son's business dealings in Ukraine. "You're a damn liar, man," the former vice president said in a rare flash of anger at the town hall in New Hampton, Iowa. After first saying that President Donald Trump is "messing around in Ukraine," the man told Biden "you on the other hand sent your son over there, to get him a job and work for a gas company. "He had no experience," the man said. "You're selling access to the president." "That's not true and no one has ever said that," Biden responded after calling the man a liar. Biden's son Hunter served on the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma from 2014 to 2019 and was reportedly paid $50,000 a month. Hunter Biden has not been accused of any wrongdoing but questions have been raised about the propriety of him taking the position while his father was vice president and dealing with Ukraine issues. Trump is facing impeachment in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives after asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the Bidens. The 77-year-old Biden also responded forcefully to a suggestion by the questioner that he was "too old" to be running for president. "I'm not sedentary," Biden said. "The reason I'm running is because I've been around a long time and I know more than most people know and I can get things done. "You want to check my shape on it, let's do pushups together, man," he said. "Let's run. Let's do whatever you want to do. Let's take an IQ test." At another point, he appeared to say "Look, fat, look, here's the deal" -- but this was strongly disputed by Biden aide Symone Sanders, who tweeted that he had said: "Look, facts." Biden is the current frontrunner in the race for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, according to an average of national polls by RealClearPolitics.com. Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg are the only other candidates in the crowded field with double-digit support. The first vote of the Democratic primary season is to be held in Iowa in February.

Biden lashes out at questioner after query about son at campaign event in Iowa

A day after US&nbsp;Senator <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/dont-worry-mr-president-ill-see-you-at-your-trial-kamala-harris-hits-back-at-donald-trump-266050">Kamala Harris</a> ended her 2020 presidential bid, former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination, said on Wednesday he would consider her as a potential running mate.

Biden, with whom Harris clashed during a Democratic debate earlier this year, praised her after a campaign event in Ames, Iowa.

“Senator Harris has the capacity to be anything she wants to be,” Biden told reporters, according to a video posted by CBS News. “I talked to her yesterday. She’s solid. She can be the president one day herself. She can be the vice president. She can go on to be a Supreme Court justice.”

Biden and Harris had a contentious exchange over forced busing in public schools in the first Democratic debate in Miami in June. It was a standout moment for Harris, who saw her fortunes briefly rise in her party's contest for the right to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in next year's election.

But any rift appears to have been closed. Biden praised Harris effusively on Tuesday after she dropped out. Harris was close friends with Biden's son Beau, before he died of brain cancer in 2015.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-ordered-ukraine-deal-to-probe-biden-us-diplomat-sondland-263493">Biden told reporters</a> on Wednesday that “of course I would” consider Harris to be his running mate.

Earlier this year, Harris, 55, was viewed as a prime contender in the crowded Democratic presidential field. But organizational and financial woes, along with her struggles to make a compelling case for her candidacy, derailed her campaign.

The US&nbsp;senator from California could potentially bring much to a ticket. A former prosecutor, state attorney general and only the second black woman elected to the Senate, she is still considered a rising star within the party.

After Harris' exit, 15 Democrats are left to battle for the party's nomination.

A day after US Senator Kamala Harris ended her 2020 presidential bid, former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination, said on Wednesday he would consider her as a potential running mate.

A day after US Senator Kamala Harris ended her 2020 presidential bid, former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination, said on Wednesday he would consider her as a potential running mate. Biden, with whom Harris clashed during a Democratic debate earlier this year, praised her after a campaign event in Ames, Iowa. “Senator Harris has the capacity to be anything she wants to be,” Biden told reporters, according to a video posted by CBS News. “I talked to her yesterday. She’s solid. She can be the president one day herself. She can be the vice president. She can go on to be a Supreme Court justice.” Biden and Harris had a contentious exchange over forced busing in public schools in the first Democratic debate in Miami in June. It was a standout moment for Harris, who saw her fortunes briefly rise in her party's contest for the right to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in next year's election. But any rift appears to have been closed. Biden praised Harris effusively on Tuesday after she dropped out. Harris was close friends with Biden's son Beau, before he died of brain cancer in 2015. Biden told reporters on Wednesday that “of course I would” consider Harris to be his running mate. Earlier this year, Harris, 55, was viewed as a prime contender in the crowded Democratic presidential field. But organizational and financial woes, along with her struggles to make a compelling case for her candidacy, derailed her campaign. The US senator from California could potentially bring much to a ticket. A former prosecutor, state attorney general and only the second black woman elected to the Senate, she is still considered a rising star within the party. After Harris' exit, 15 Democrats are left to battle for the party's nomination.

Biden says he would consider Harris for vice presidential slot

US&nbsp;President<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025"> Donald&nbsp;Trump</a>&nbsp;solicited foreign interference to boost his re-election chances, undermined national security and ordered an "unprecedented" campaign to obstruct Congress,&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;said on Tuesday in a report that lawmakers will use as the basis of any formal&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;charges.

In the 300-page report,&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;leading the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee levelled allegations of sweeping abuse of&nbsp;power&nbsp;by&nbsp;Trump, saying he used US&nbsp;military aid and the prospect of a White House visit to pressure Ukrainian President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/comedian-volodymyr-zelenskiy-leads-presidential-polls-207124">Volodymyr Zelenskiy</a> to undertake investigations that would benefit&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;politically.

Republican&nbsp;Trump, who will stand for re-election in November 2020, denies any wrongdoing and calls the inquiry a hoax.

The heart of the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;probe&nbsp;is whether&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;misused the&nbsp;power&nbsp;of his office to pressure Ukraine to investigate the son of former Vice President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-unveils-17-trillion-climate-plan-to-end-us-carbon-emissions-by-2050-224374">Joe Biden</a>, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;in the 2020 election.

Watch: Donald Trump impeachment hearings set for December 4

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/donald-trump-impeachment-hearings-set-for-dec-4-265791/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

&nbsp;

The public release of the report is a milestone in a weeks-long investigation into whether&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;should be removed from office over his dealings on Ukraine. It summarizes hours of private testimony and televised hearings in which former government officials described a months-long effort to pressure Ukraine to carry out the investigations sought by&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;in July.

The report's completions hands the process over to the House Judiciary Committee, which will now be responsible for drafting actual articles of&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;should lawmakers decide to move forward. That panel will begin proceedings on Wednesday.

In the report,&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;detail accusations that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;obstructed their investigation, including refusing to provide documents and testimony from his top advisers, unsuccessful attempts to block career government officials from testifying and intimidation of witnesses.

The&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;argue that "damage will be long-lasting and potentially irrevocable if the President’s ability to stonewall Congress goes unchecked."

Making their case to move forward with&nbsp;impeachment, the report said that "any future President will feel empowered to resist an investigation into their own wrongdoing, malfeasance, or corruption, and the result will be a nation at far greater risk of all three."

In a news conference, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff described&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;as a "president who believes that he is beyond indictment, beyond&nbsp;impeachment, beyond any form of accountability and indeed above the law."

Trump, who is in London for a NATO summit, repeated accusations that&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;are using the&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;process to engage in a politically-motivated attack seeking to undo the results of the 2016 presidential election by removing him from office. Opinion polls show Americans are bitterly divided over&nbsp;impeachment.

White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;had conducted a "one-sided sham process" that had failed to produce any evidence of wrongdoing by&nbsp;Trump.

"This report reflects nothing more than their frustrations. Chairman Schiff’s report reads like the ramblings of a basement blogger straining to prove something when there is evidence of nothing,” Grisham said in a statement.

Lawmakers and the public have heard testimony from current and former officials that military aid was withheld from Ukraine and that a White House meeting with Zelenskiy was conditioned on Kiev announcing a&nbsp;probe&nbsp;into Biden, as well as one into a debunked conspiracy theory about Ukrainian interference in the 2016 US&nbsp;election.

The report was approved by the intelligence panel on a partisan vote on Tuesday evening. The vote was 13-9. It was not immediately clear how each member voted.

If the full House eventually votes to approve formal&nbsp;impeachment&nbsp;charges, a trial would be held in the Republican-led US&nbsp;Senate, where a two-thirds majority of those present would be required to convict&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;and remove him from office.

The report also brought to light new allegations by&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;about phone calls between&nbsp;Trump's Republican allies.

The report suggested wrongdoing within the executive branch extended beyond&nbsp;Trump.

The report said many of&nbsp;Trump's "closest subordinates and advisors," including White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry aided&nbsp;Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine and withheld information from Congress. Senior administration officials declined to testify in the proceedings.

The report cited dozens of previously unreported phone records of contact between&nbsp;Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, Giuliani’s associates, the House Intelligence Committee's top Republican, Devin Nunes, and the White House's Office of Management and Budget.

The phone records were obtained from AT&amp;T, the report says.

An AT&amp;T statement acknowledged the company complied with a request.

"Like all companies, we are required by law to provide information to government and law enforcement agencies," the statement said. "In all cases, we ensure that requests for assistance are valid and that we act in compliance with the law."

A spokesman for Nunes did not respond to a request for comment.

The report also sought to push back at a frequent defence of&nbsp;trump&nbsp;by Republican lawmakers - that the political novice was simply doing what all presidents do.

"The President’s misconduct was not an isolated occurrence, nor was it the product of a naïve president," the report argues.

Republicans, in an advance rebuttal report released on Monday, said&nbsp;Democrats&nbsp;had not established that&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;had committed an impeachable offence.

Trump&nbsp;and other Republicans have suggested that Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company, should be investigated for corruption. The Bidens have denied wrongdoing.

US President Donald Trump solicited foreign interference to boost his re-election chances, undermined national security and ordered an "unprecedented" campaign to obstruct Congress, Democrats said on Tuesday in a report that lawmakers will use as the basis of any formal impeachment charges.

US President Donald Trump solicited foreign interference to boost his re-election chances, undermined national security and ordered an "unprecedented" campaign to obstruct Congress, Democrats said on Tuesday in a report that lawmakers will use as the basis of any formal impeachment charges. In the 300-page report, Democrats leading the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee levelled allegations of sweeping abuse of power by Trump, saying he used US military aid and the prospect of a White House visit to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to undertake investigations that would benefit Trump politically. Republican Trump, who will stand for re-election in November 2020, denies any wrongdoing and calls the inquiry a hoax. The heart of the impeachment probe is whether Trump misused the power of his office to pressure Ukraine to investigate the son of former Vice President Joe Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 election. Watch: Donald Trump impeachment hearings set for December 4 The public release of the report is a milestone in a weeks-long investigation into whether Trump should be removed from office over his dealings on Ukraine. It summarizes hours of private testimony and televised hearings in which former government officials described a months-long effort to pressure Ukraine to carry out the investigations sought by Trump in July. The report's completions hands the process over to the House Judiciary Committee, which will now be responsible for drafting actual articles of impeachment should lawmakers decide to move forward. That panel will begin proceedings on Wednesday. In the report, Democrats detail accusations that Trump obstructed their investigation, including refusing to provide documents and testimony from his top advisers, unsuccessful attempts to block career government officials from testifying and intimidation of witnesses. The Democrats argue that "damage will be long-lasting and potentially irrevocable if the President’s ability to stonewall Congress goes unchecked." Making their case to move forward with impeachment, the report said that "any future President will feel empowered to resist an investigation into their own wrongdoing, malfeasance, or corruption, and the result will be a nation at far greater risk of all three." In a news conference, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff described Trump as a "president who believes that he is beyond indictment, beyond impeachment, beyond any form of accountability and indeed above the law." Trump, who is in London for a NATO summit, repeated accusations that Democrats are using the impeachment process to engage in a politically-motivated attack seeking to undo the results of the 2016 presidential election by removing him from office. Opinion polls show Americans are bitterly divided over impeachment. White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said Democrats had conducted a "one-sided sham process" that had failed to produce any evidence of wrongdoing by Trump. "This report reflects nothing more than their frustrations. Chairman Schiff’s report reads like the ramblings of a basement blogger straining to prove something when there is evidence of nothing,” Grisham said in a statement. Lawmakers and the public have heard testimony from current and former officials that military aid was withheld from Ukraine and that a White House meeting with Zelenskiy was conditioned on Kiev announcing a probe into Biden, as well as one into a debunked conspiracy theory about Ukrainian interference in the 2016 US election. The report was approved by the intelligence panel on a partisan vote on Tuesday evening. The vote was 13-9. It was not immediately clear how each member voted. If the full House eventually votes to approve formal impeachment charges, a trial would be held in the Republican-led US Senate, where a two-thirds majority of those present would be required to convict Trump and remove him from office. The report also brought to light new allegations by Democrats about phone calls between Trump's Republican allies. The report suggested wrongdoing within the executive branch extended beyond Trump. The report said many of Trump's "closest subordinates and advisors," including White House acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Secretary of Energy Rick Perry aided Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine and withheld information from Congress. Senior administration officials declined to testify in the proceedings. The report cited dozens of previously unreported phone records of contact between Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, Giuliani’s associates, the House Intelligence Committee's top Republican, Devin Nunes, and the White House's Office of Management and Budget. The phone records were obtained from AT&T, the report says. An AT&T statement acknowledged the company complied with a request. "Like all companies, we are required by law to provide information to government and law enforcement agencies," the statement said. "In all cases, we ensure that requests for assistance are valid and that we act in compliance with the law." A spokesman for Nunes did not respond to a request for comment. The report also sought to push back at a frequent defence of trump by Republican lawmakers - that the political novice was simply doing what all presidents do. "The President’s misconduct was not an isolated occurrence, nor was it the product of a naïve president," the report argues. Republicans, in an advance rebuttal report released on Monday, said Democrats had not established that Trump had committed an impeachable offence. Trump and other Republicans have suggested that Biden and his son Hunter Biden, who was on the board of a Ukrainian energy company, should be investigated for corruption. The Bidens have denied wrongdoing.

Democrats accuse Trump of abusing power, obstructing Congress' impeachment probe

Trump impeachment inquiry: What happens next?

Billionaire <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/michael-bloomberg-registers-committee-in-anticipation-of-white-house-run-263771">Michael Bloomberg</a>, a potential candidate for 2020 US election, is planning to launch a $31 million television advertising campaign on Monday.&nbsp;

As per ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics, Bloomberg has purchased a total of $31 million in advertising inserts, the largest sum ever spent by a US presidential candidate.&nbsp;

Bernie Sanders, one of the frontrunners in the presidential race, slammed the move in a tweet on Friday and stating he was "disgusted by the idea that Michael Bloomberg or any billionaire thinks they can circumvent the political process and spend tens of millions of dollars to buy elections".

He tweeted that if you can't build grassroot support for your candidacy than "you have no business running for president."&nbsp;

The amount exceeds the record $25 million spent by former US president Barack Obama in 2012 for his campaign and reflects the financial might of one of the richest men in the world.&nbsp;

Bloomberg, a former New York mayor from 2002 to 2013, registered on Thursday with the US Federal Election Commission, a step closer to running for US presidency.&nbsp;

Nearly two weeks ago, Bloomberg said that he was "close" to take a final call on whether to enter the crowded battleground of Democrats for 2020 presidency.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP)

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a potential candidate for 2020 US election, is planning to launch a $31 million television advertising campaign on Monday. As per ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics, Bloomberg has purchased a total of $31 million in advertising inserts, the largest sum ever spent by a US presidential candidate.

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg, a potential candidate for 2020 US election, is planning to launch a $31 million television advertising campaign on Monday. As per ad tracking firm Advertising Analytics, Bloomberg has purchased a total of $31 million in advertising inserts, the largest sum ever spent by a US presidential candidate. Bernie Sanders, one of the frontrunners in the presidential race, slammed the move in a tweet on Friday and stating he was "disgusted by the idea that Michael Bloomberg or any billionaire thinks they can circumvent the political process and spend tens of millions of dollars to buy elections". He tweeted that if you can't build grassroot support for your candidacy than "you have no business running for president." The amount exceeds the record $25 million spent by former US president Barack Obama in 2012 for his campaign and reflects the financial might of one of the richest men in the world. Bloomberg, a former New York mayor from 2002 to 2013, registered on Thursday with the US Federal Election Commission, a step closer to running for US presidency. Nearly two weeks ago, Bloomberg said that he was "close" to take a final call on whether to enter the crowded battleground of Democrats for 2020 presidency. (with inputs from AFP)

Potential US presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg spends record amount for TV ads

Kurt Volker, a former diplomat who was involved in discussions to get Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government to investigate corruption, said on Tuesday he did not know that was effectively a request to investigate former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden.

U.S. Ambassador Volker says he did not know Ukraine corruption probe was tied to Biden

A White House official testified in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump on Tuesday that a phone call the president made to ask Ukraine to investigate his political rivals was improper and denounced attacks on witnesses in the investigation.

Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, the White House National Security Council's top Ukraine expert, testified at the third public hearing in the impeachment effort before the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee.

The inquiry focuses on a July 25 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to carry out two investigations that would benefit him politically including one targeting Democratic political rival Joe Biden. The other involved a debunked conspiracy theory embraced by some Trump allies that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 US election.

"It was inappropriate, it was improper for the president to request - to demand - an investigation into a political opponent, especially (from) a foreign power where there is at best dubious belief that this would be a completely impartial investigation and that this would have significant implications if it became public knowledge," Vindman told the committee.

He testified alongside Jennifer Williams, an aide to US Vice President Mike Pence, both of whom were among the U.S. officials who listened in on the July 25 call.

Vindman, an Iraq war veteran who appeared at the hearing wearing his Army uniform and medals, has been publicly criticized by Trump along with other witnesses. He told lawmakers that "character attacks" against public servants testifying in the impeachment inquiry were "reprehensible."

"It is natural to disagree and engage in spirited debate, this has been the custom of our country since the time of our Founding Fathers, but we are better than personal attacks," he told lawmakers.

In his prepared opening statement to the committee, he had referred to "vile character attacks" and said "we are better than callow and cowardly attacks," but did not use those words at the hearing.

Trump has attacked both Williams and Vindman on Twitter as "Never Trump" witnesses, a term to describe Republicans who oppose him.

A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Vindman had recently concerns over his personal security and the Army has been carrying out security assessments. The official said Vindman and his family could be moved to a military base if the security threat warrants such action but that has not yet occurred.

Vindman, whose family fled the Soviet Union and settled in the United States, sent out a message to his father from the witness seat.

"Dad, that I am sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision 40 years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family. Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth," Vindman testified.

Ahead of the call, Trump had frozen $391 million in US security aid approved by Congress to help Ukraine combat Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. Trump was seeking a Ukrainian investigation of Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election, and Biden's son Hunter, who had served on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm called Burisma.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and attacked the Democrats leading the inquiry.

'Domestic political matter'

Williams told the committee that Trump's call with Zelenskiy was unusual because "it involved discussion of what appeared to be a domestic political matter." She said the White House budget office had said Trump's acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, had directed that $391 million in security aid to Ukraine be put on hold and that she never learned why the assistance was later released in September.

Democrats have accused Trump of using the frozen aid and Zelenskiy's desire for an Oval Office meeting as leverage to pressure a vulnerable U.S. ally to dig up dirt on political adversaries.

The investigation could lead the House to approve formal charges against Trump – known as articles of impeachment – that would be sent to the Republican-controlled Senate for a trial on whether to remove him from office. Few Republican senators have broken with Trump.

Representative Devin Nunes, the committee's top Republican and a close Trump ally, did not address the substance of the witness testimony about the president's actions in his opening statement on Tuesday but unleashed an attack on the media, calling journalists "puppets of the Democratic Party."

Representative Adam Schiff, the committee's Democratic chairman, noted Trump's criticism of Williams and of Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who testified in the impeachment inquiry on Friday. Schiff also noted the "scurrilous attacks" on Vindman's character.

"I note that you have shed blood for America, and we owe you an immense debt of gratitude," Schiff told Vindman, who was awarded a Purple Heart medal for war wounds.

At one point, Schiff interrupted Nunes' questioning of Vindman that appeared to be aimed at revealing the identity of the intelligence community whistleblower whose complaint about Trump's July 25 call triggered the impeachment inquiry. The whistleblower's identity has remained a secret, but Trump and his allies have repeatedly attacked the individual.

"These proceedings will not be used to out the whistleblower," Schiff said.

Vindman referred to the two investigations that Trump had sought from Ukraine as "alternative false narratives," and noted that Russian President Vladmir Putin had promoted the notion that the Ukrainians had interfered in the 2016 U.S. election.

U.S. intelligence agencies and former Special Counsel Robert Mueller determined that Russia used a campaign of hacking and propaganda to boost Trump's candidacy and harm his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.

Two other witnesses were scheduled to testify later on Tuesday: Kurt Volker, the former U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, and former National Security Council Russia expert Tim Morrison.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Patricia Zengerle; Ad

A White House official testified in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump on Tuesday that a phone call the president made to ask Ukraine to investigate his political rivals was improper and denounced attacks on witnesses in the investigation.

A White House official testified in the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump on Tuesday that a phone call the president made to ask Ukraine to investigate his political rivals was improper and denounced attacks on witnesses in the investigation. Army Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Vindman, the White House National Security Council's top Ukraine expert, testified at the third public hearing in the impeachment effort before the US House of Representatives Intelligence Committee. The inquiry focuses on a July 25 phone call in which Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to carry out two investigations that would benefit him politically including one targeting Democratic political rival Joe Biden. The other involved a debunked conspiracy theory embraced by some Trump allies that Ukraine, not Russia, interfered in the 2016 US election. "It was inappropriate, it was improper for the president to request - to demand - an investigation into a political opponent, especially (from) a foreign power where there is at best dubious belief that this would be a completely impartial investigation and that this would have significant implications if it became public knowledge," Vindman told the committee. He testified alongside Jennifer Williams, an aide to US Vice President Mike Pence, both of whom were among the U.S. officials who listened in on the July 25 call. Vindman, an Iraq war veteran who appeared at the hearing wearing his Army uniform and medals, has been publicly criticized by Trump along with other witnesses. He told lawmakers that "character attacks" against public servants testifying in the impeachment inquiry were "reprehensible." "It is natural to disagree and engage in spirited debate, this has been the custom of our country since the time of our Founding Fathers, but we are better than personal attacks," he told lawmakers. In his prepared opening statement to the committee, he had referred to "vile character attacks" and said "we are better than callow and cowardly attacks," but did not use those words at the hearing. Trump has attacked both Williams and Vindman on Twitter as "Never Trump" witnesses, a term to describe Republicans who oppose him. A US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Vindman had recently concerns over his personal security and the Army has been carrying out security assessments. The official said Vindman and his family could be moved to a military base if the security threat warrants such action but that has not yet occurred. Vindman, whose family fled the Soviet Union and settled in the United States, sent out a message to his father from the witness seat. "Dad, that I am sitting here today, in the US Capitol talking to our elected officials is proof that you made the right decision 40 years ago to leave the Soviet Union and come here to the United States of America in search of a better life for our family. Do not worry, I will be fine for telling the truth," Vindman testified. Ahead of the call, Trump had frozen $391 million in US security aid approved by Congress to help Ukraine combat Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. Trump was seeking a Ukrainian investigation of Biden, a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the 2020 presidential election, and Biden's son Hunter, who had served on the board of a Ukrainian energy firm called Burisma. Trump has denied wrongdoing and attacked the Democrats leading the inquiry. 'Domestic political matter' Williams told the committee that Trump's call with Zelenskiy was unusual because "it involved discussion of what appeared to be a domestic political matter." She said the White House budget office had said Trump's acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, had directed that $391 million in security aid to Ukraine be put on hold and that she never learned why the assistance was later released in September. Democrats have accused Trump of using the frozen aid and Zelenskiy's desire for an Oval Office meeting as leverage to pressure a vulnerable U.S. ally to dig up dirt on political adversaries. The investigation could lead the House to approve formal charges against Trump – known as articles of impeachment – that would be sent to the Republican-controlled Senate for a trial on whether to remove him from office. Few Republican senators have broken with Trump. Representative Devin Nunes, the committee's top Republican and a close Trump ally, did not address the substance of the witness testimony about the president's actions in his opening statement on Tuesday but unleashed an attack on the media, calling journalists "puppets of the Democratic Party." Representative Adam Schiff, the committee's Democratic chairman, noted Trump's criticism of Williams and of Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who testified in the impeachment inquiry on Friday. Schiff also noted the "scurrilous attacks" on Vindman's character. "I note that you have shed blood for America, and we owe you an immense debt of gratitude," Schiff told Vindman, who was awarded a Purple Heart medal for war wounds. At one point, Schiff interrupted Nunes' questioning of Vindman that appeared to be aimed at revealing the identity of the intelligence community whistleblower whose complaint about Trump's July 25 call triggered the impeachment inquiry. The whistleblower's identity has remained a secret, but Trump and his allies have repeatedly attacked the individual. "These proceedings will not be used to out the whistleblower," Schiff said. Vindman referred to the two investigations that Trump had sought from Ukraine as "alternative false narratives," and noted that Russian President Vladmir Putin had promoted the notion that the Ukrainians had interfered in the 2016 U.S. election. U.S. intelligence agencies and former Special Counsel Robert Mueller determined that Russia used a campaign of hacking and propaganda to boost Trump's candidacy and harm his Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. Two other witnesses were scheduled to testify later on Tuesday: Kurt Volker, the former U.S. special envoy to Ukraine, and former National Security Council Russia expert Tim Morrison. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay and Patricia Zengerle; Ad

Top White House Ukraine expert says Trump request for Biden probe was improper

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that his country is "tired" of questions related to the Trump scandal, amid a critical week of public impeachment hearings in Washington.

"We have our country, we have our independence, we have our own problems," he complained after a press conference in Kiev with visiting Czech prime minister Andrej Babis.

Hearings began last week in Washington into whether US President Donald Trump ordered to freeze US military aid to Ukraine in an effort to get Kiev to launch investigations against potential 2020 election rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

On Tuesday an American reporter pressed Zelensky on whether he had been ready to launch a probe into Biden's son's ties to Ukraine energy company Burisma, as a concession to Trump.

"Everyone in Ukraine is so tired of Burisma," Zelensky said, before quickly leaving the room full of reporters.

Zelensky, a 41-year-old comedian who was elected President of Ukraine in April, has found himself at the centre of the impeachment scandal in the US after his phone call with Trump resulted in a probe into whether the US president had pressured his Ukrainian counterpart to further his own personal agenda.

The Ukrainian probe was to target Hunter Biden's activities from April 2014 to April 2019 when he served on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas firm accused of corrupt practices.

The global attention on the affair has come at a time when Ukraine is trying to enact crucial reforms, and Zelensky has shown exasperation with the relentless media focus on Trump.

At a marathon press-conference last month, Zelensky said he does not want to "get sucked into" the scandal as it could hurt Ukraine's interests.

"With all due respect for the US and US politics, we are not maintenance staff for the US, we're an independent country," he said.

US is a key ally of Ukraine in its long-running fight against Russia-backed separatists in the east. 
&nbsp;

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that his country is "tired" of questions related to the Trump scandal, amid a critical week of public impeachment hearings in Washington.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that his country is "tired" of questions related to the Trump scandal, amid a critical week of public impeachment hearings in Washington. "We have our country, we have our independence, we have our own problems," he complained after a press conference in Kiev with visiting Czech prime minister Andrej Babis. Hearings began last week in Washington into whether US President Donald Trump ordered to freeze US military aid to Ukraine in an effort to get Kiev to launch investigations against potential 2020 election rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter. On Tuesday an American reporter pressed Zelensky on whether he had been ready to launch a probe into Biden's son's ties to Ukraine energy company Burisma, as a concession to Trump. "Everyone in Ukraine is so tired of Burisma," Zelensky said, before quickly leaving the room full of reporters. Zelensky, a 41-year-old comedian who was elected President of Ukraine in April, has found himself at the centre of the impeachment scandal in the US after his phone call with Trump resulted in a probe into whether the US president had pressured his Ukrainian counterpart to further his own personal agenda. The Ukrainian probe was to target Hunter Biden's activities from April 2014 to April 2019 when he served on the board of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas firm accused of corrupt practices. The global attention on the affair has come at a time when Ukraine is trying to enact crucial reforms, and Zelensky has shown exasperation with the relentless media focus on Trump. At a marathon press-conference last month, Zelensky said he does not want to "get sucked into" the scandal as it could hurt Ukraine's interests. "With all due respect for the US and US politics, we are not maintenance staff for the US, we're an independent country," he said. US is a key ally of Ukraine in its long-running fight against Russia-backed separatists in the east.

Volodymyr Zelensky says Ukraine getting 'tired' of Trump scandal

US President Donald Trump issued a rare -- if tepid -- defence of election rival Joe Biden on Sunday, saying Pyongyang's depiction of him as "a rabid dog" who should be "beaten to death" went a bit too far.

"Joe Biden may be Sleepy and Very Slow," Trump tweeted, using his derisive nicknames for the former vice president and Democratic 2020 presidential nomination frontrunner, "but he is not a 'rabid dog.' He is actually somewhat better than that."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Mr. Chairman, Joe Biden may be Sleepy and Very Slow, but he is not a “rabid dog.” He is actually somewhat better than that, but I am the only one who can get you where you have to be. You should act quickly, get the deal done. See you soon! <a href="https://t.co/kO2k14lTf7">https://t.co/kO2k14lTf7</a>
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1196080086686011398?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 17, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The president was responding to a conservative commentator's tweet about a particularly visceral attack on Biden issued Friday by North Korea.

The North's official KCNA news agency said Biden had shown "the temerity to dare slander the dignity of the supreme leadership" of North Korea.&nbsp;

"Rabid dogs like Biden can hurt lots of people if they are allowed to run about," the KCNA statement said. "They must be beaten to death with a stick."

It was not clear what had provoked Pyongyang's ire. But the angry response came after the Biden campaign released an ad condemning Trump's foreign policy and saying that "dictators and tyrants are praised, our allies pushed aside."

The word "tyrants" was heard at the exact moment a picture appeared on the screen of Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shaking hands at their Singapore summit last year.

Whether Trump was speaking sincerely or ironically in defending Biden, the former vice president's first subsequent appearance on Twitter was hardly conciliatory.

Instead, Biden sharply condemned Trump's pardon on Friday of a former soldier convicted of murder and a former Green Beret charged with killing a suspected Taliban bomb-maker.

"Trump's intervention in the American military justice system to pardon service members accused or convicted of war crimes betrays the rule of law, the values that make our country exceptional &amp; the men and women who wear the uniform honourably," Biden said.

"He is not fit to command our troops."

Trump's tweet had a dual purpose: it also served as a platform to seek re-engagement with Kim.

"I am the only one who can get you where you have to be," Trump's tweet said, referring to the North Korean leader. "You should act quickly, get the deal done. See you soon!"

Talks between the two sides on a deal for North Korea's denuclearization stalled after a Hanoi summit between Kim and Trump broke up in February. Working-level talks in Sweden last month also broke down.

But Pyongyang welcomed the news on Sunday that joint US-South Korean air drills are being postponed in what US Defense Secretary Mark Esper called an "act of goodwill" toward the nuclear-armed North.

US President Donald Trump issued a rare -- if tepid -- defence of election rival Joe Biden on Sunday, saying Pyongyang's depiction of him as "a rabid dog" who should be "beaten to death" went a bit too far.

US President Donald Trump issued a rare -- if tepid -- defence of election rival Joe Biden on Sunday, saying Pyongyang's depiction of him as "a rabid dog" who should be "beaten to death" went a bit too far. "Joe Biden may be Sleepy and Very Slow," Trump tweeted, using his derisive nicknames for the former vice president and Democratic 2020 presidential nomination frontrunner, "but he is not a 'rabid dog.' He is actually somewhat better than that." Mr. Chairman, Joe Biden may be Sleepy and Very Slow, but he is not a “rabid dog.” He is actually somewhat better than that, but I am the only one who can get you where you have to be. You should act quickly, get the deal done. See you soon! https://t.co/kO2k14lTf7 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 17, 2019 × The president was responding to a conservative commentator's tweet about a particularly visceral attack on Biden issued Friday by North Korea. The North's official KCNA news agency said Biden had shown "the temerity to dare slander the dignity of the supreme leadership" of North Korea. "Rabid dogs like Biden can hurt lots of people if they are allowed to run about," the KCNA statement said. "They must be beaten to death with a stick." It was not clear what had provoked Pyongyang's ire. But the angry response came after the Biden campaign released an ad condemning Trump's foreign policy and saying that "dictators and tyrants are praised, our allies pushed aside." The word "tyrants" was heard at the exact moment a picture appeared on the screen of Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shaking hands at their Singapore summit last year. Whether Trump was speaking sincerely or ironically in defending Biden, the former vice president's first subsequent appearance on Twitter was hardly conciliatory. Instead, Biden sharply condemned Trump's pardon on Friday of a former soldier convicted of murder and a former Green Beret charged with killing a suspected Taliban bomb-maker. "Trump's intervention in the American military justice system to pardon service members accused or convicted of war crimes betrays the rule of law, the values that make our country exceptional & the men and women who wear the uniform honourably," Biden said. "He is not fit to command our troops." Trump's tweet had a dual purpose: it also served as a platform to seek re-engagement with Kim. "I am the only one who can get you where you have to be," Trump's tweet said, referring to the North Korean leader. "You should act quickly, get the deal done. See you soon!" Talks between the two sides on a deal for North Korea's denuclearization stalled after a Hanoi summit between Kim and Trump broke up in February. Working-level talks in Sweden last month also broke down. But Pyongyang welcomed the news on Sunday that joint US-South Korean air drills are being postponed in what US Defense Secretary Mark Esper called an "act of goodwill" toward the nuclear-armed North.

Trump says North Korea went too far in calling Biden 'rabid dog'

joe-biden

Joe Biden, News on Joe Biden, stories on Joe Biden, articles on Joe Biden, Joe Biden stories at Wion, Joe Biden news, Joe Biden latest news

joe biden