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

The head of the USSenateJudiciary CommitteeLindsey Grahamsaid on Sunday he wants theSenateto launch animpeachmenttrialof President DonaldTrumpwithin days and wrap it up this month, even if it means changingSenaterules.

The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives last month voted to impeachTrumpfor abuse of power in pressuring Ukraine to investigate a political rival and for obstructing the Houseimpeachmentprobe.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, however, has not yet sent the articles ofimpeachmentto theRepublican-ledSenate, where the president would be tried, as Democrats have sought to pressureRepublicans to call witnesses.

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Speaking on Fox News Channel's "Sunday Morning Futures,"RepublicanSenator Lindsey Graham said he wants tochangetheSenaterules tokickstartatrialif Pelosi does not send the articles ofimpeachment.

SenateMajority Leader Mitch McConnell, aRepublican, said on Friday theSenatecannot proceed with atrialunder itsrules 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 tostartthistrialin 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 andchangetherules."

"This thing needs to be over with in January," he said, arguing that a delay deniesTrumpan 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 possiblerulechange.

An aide to Pelosi referred to a statement she issued on Friday in which she accused McConnell of being complicit inTrump's "cover-up of his abuses of power."

USRepresentative Adam Schiff, the Democratic Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee that led the Houseimpeachmentproceedings said on CNN: "Both Democrats andRepublicans 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 realtrial? Or do we want a cover-up? It's clear, I think, from the president and Mitch McConnell they don't want atrialanymore."

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.

Trumpis 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 faceTrumpin the November presidential election.

He was also accused of obstructing Congress by directing administration officials and agencies not to cooperate with the Houseimpeachmentinquiry.

Trumpsays he did nothing wrong and has dismissed hisimpeachmentas a partisan bid to undo his 2016 election win.

WithTrump's fellowRepublicans controlling theSenatewith 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 fewRepublicans to push through a resolution for witnesses, which would only require a simple majority.

Allowing witness testimony could bring up new evidence damaging toTrump.

"We need the truth,"SenateDemocratic leader Chuck Schumer said on Twitter. "Not a cover-up. Not a nationally televised mocktrialwith no evidence."