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The US Congress has opened the impeachment of President Donald Trump.
House Democrats read the formal charges after the seven House impeachment managers completed their ceremonial walk to the US Senate.
There Adam Schiff, lead impeachment manager, delivered the articles of impeachment – impeaching Donald John Trump for high crimes and misdemeanors.
Schiff said: “Wherefore, President Trump, by such conduct, has demonstrated that he will remain a threat to the Constitution if allowed to remain in office, and has acted in a manner grossly incompatible with self-governance and the rule of law. President Trump thus warrants impeachment and trial, removal from office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States.”
It is the third impeachment trial in US history to take place.
Mr Trump has repeatedly derided the proceedings as a witch hunt, claiming it is politically motivated in the year he will seek a second term in the White House.
However, independent government investigators said Donald Trump’s direction to suspend Ukraine aid violated the law.
Fresh evidence has recently come from businessman Lev Parnas, a key figure in the impeachment inquiry, who claimed in interviews with US media outlets that Donald Trump and his personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, were aware of efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate Trump’s political rival Joe Biden.
White House press secretary, Stephanie Grisham, said the Trump administration was “not too concerned” about Parnas’ allegations and tried to off-set the accusations by questioning his motives.
Later Chief Justice John Roberts, who is to preside at the trial, will administer the oath to senators who will serve as jurors and swear to deliver “impartial justice”.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said new evidence reinforces the need for senators to call witnesses.
She warned them not to become “all the president’s henchmen”.
There are a number of notables in the public gallery today including congressman Al Green, Jane Sanders, Bernie Sander’s wife, and Norm Eisen, Democratic counsel.
The full trial will begin next week.
More to follow…
