The Democratic-controlled committee is expected, over Republican objections, to approve two formal articles of impeachment, which will allow a vote by the House next week that is likely to result in Trump becoming the third president in U.S. history to be impeached.
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| U.S. President Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters |
Following a House vote to impeach Trump for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, the charges would go to the Senate for a trial. The Republican-led chamber is unlikely to vote to remove Trump from office.
Democrats accuse Trump of abusing his power by trying to force Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and of obstructing Congress when lawmakers tried to look into the matter. Biden is a leading contender for the Democratic nomination to run against Trump next year.
The Republican president has denied wrongdoing and condemned the impeachment inquiry as a hoax.
On Tuesday evening, Republicans on the Judiciary Committee accused Democrats of overplaying their hand by accusing Trump of the crimes of bribery and extortion in the media and then pulling back.
“Whatever happened to quid pro quo, extortion and bribery?” said Representative John Ratcliffe. “The Democrats have been telling us it was clear, the facts were undisputed, the evidence was overwhelming. Except it wasn’t any of those things and now it’s all gone.”
Democrats spent much of the evening chiding Republicans for their loyalty to Trump.
“Wake up! Stop thinking about running for re-election,” said Representative David Cicilline.
“Stop worrying about being primaried. Stop deflecting and distracting and treating those you represent as if they don’t see what’s going on, like they’re not smart enough to realize that you are willfully ignoring the facts to protect a corrupt and dangerous president.”
