US President Donald Trump is expected to be impeached on Wednesday by the Democratic-led House of Representatives for obstruction of Congress and abuse of power related to his dealings with Ukraine.
Wednesday’s historic votes on impeachment comes after a two-month inquiry by House Democrats, who accuse the president of pressuring Ukraine to open an investigation into the president’s political rival and former vice president, Joe Biden, who is also a frontrunner in the 2020 Democratic presidential race. They also charge that the president obstructed their investigation by refusing to comply with subpoenas and directing members of his administration to do the same.
If the articles of impeachment are approved, as expected, Trump will become only the third president in United States history to be impeached.
Wednesday’s votes set the stage for a trial in the Republican-led Senate in January. No president has ever been removed from office via the impeachment process set out in the Constitution, and Republican senators have given little indication of changing that.
As the House prepares for the landmark impeachment vote, here are all the latest updates as of Wednesday, December 18:
Trump treated less fairly than Jesus
A Republican lawmaker from Georgia said Jesus received a more fair trial ahead of his crucifixion.
“When Jesus was falsely accused of treason, Pontius Pilate gave Jesus the opportunity to face his accusers,” congressman Barry Loudermilk said from the House floor.
“During that sham trial, Pontius Pilate afforded more rights to Jesus than Democrats have afforded this president in this process,” the lawmaker added.
Loudermilk, a conservative, represents a solidly Republican district in the Atlanta area. A Baptist, he authored the book “And Then They Prayed,” featuring stories of historical American figures at prayer.
Republican Representative Mike Kelly compared the impeachment to the Japanese attack on the US naval base at Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor in 1941, calling the House proceedings another “date that will live in infamy,” similar to the words Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt used to describe the raid that led to America’s entry into World War Two.
Deep Divide
Underscoring the deep divide in Congress over Trump’s conduct during his presidency, in a series of speeches on the House floor, Republicans defended the president and accused Democrats of seeking to topple him from power using an unfair and rigged process.
“To Democrats, it’s politics, not facts, that matter,” Republican Doug Collins said.
“Today is going to be a lot of things. What it is not, is fair,” Collins said.
Democratic representative Ayanna Pressley speaking ahead of a vote on the two articles of impeachment against US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, US [House TV via Reuters]
#ResignTrump
The #ResignTrump hashtag was trending on Twitter on Wednesday, as the debates neared their halfway mark.
Amid the scandal of Watergate, Richard Nixon is the only US president to have resigned from office in 1974 after the House approved articles of impeachment against him but before the House voted on the issue – avoiding impeachment.
Pompeo: ‘I’m happy to testify’
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that he would be happy to testify for a Senate impeachment trial if he is summoned.
“I’m happy to do document productions, I’m happy to testify if that’s appropriate, required by the law,” Pompeo said at a news conference.
“State Department has done the same thing all the way through, we will continue to do so,” he said.
Early in the impeachment probe, Pompeo objected to efforts to obtain depositions from current and former State Department officials and accused Democrats of bullying and intimidation.
He has also refused to heed subpoenas for documents.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaking at a news conference at the State Department in Washington, US [Joshua Roberts/Reuters]
Dueling strategies
The rhetoric heard during the hearings of the impeachment inquiry was again on display during Wednesday’s debate.
Many Democrats pointed to the actions of Trump that led to the impeachment inquiry and his refusal to participate in the investigation. They also urged their colleagues to uphold their oath to the constitution.
“In 2019, President Trump sought foreign interference when he needed a favour from Ukraine,” said Democrat Steve Cohen.
“President Trump attacked in his continuing threat to our system of free and fair elections. I took an oath. I urge my colleagues to abide by that oath and stand up to President Trump’s abuse of power and obstruction of Congress,” Cohen added.
Republicans, meanwhile, focused on attacking the impeachment inquiry process itself, saying Trump was blocked from having due process.
“This impeachment is based purely on partisan motives,” Republican Ross Spano on the House floor.
McConnell to announce Senate trial date by end of week: CNN
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is expected to announce a trial date by the end of the week, CNN reported, citing unnamed sources.
Many expect the trial to begin as soon as January 6. McConnell has said he hopes to meet soon with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to hammer out the details for a trial.
‘We are the champions’
Queen’s “We are the Champions” hit song was heard before a Michigan rally when Vice President Mike Pence told supporters that the impeachment vote was a “disgrace.”
Pence was speaking to more than 200 people at a “Workers for Trump” event. He said Trump will again win the important swing state in the 2020 election, in part because of impeachment.
Pence is in Michigan for a daylong bus tour before joining Trump at a rally on Wednesday evening.
Pro-impeachment rallies
Dozens of activists braved the cold on Wednesday to rally in support of Trump’s impeachment on the US capitol in Washington, DC. Multiple “Nobody Is Above the Law” events have been held across the country.
Activists rally in support of the impeachment of US President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, US [ Tom Brenner/Reuters]
Trump fires off tweet
As the heated debate got underway, Trump fired off a tweet in all caps denouncing his rivals, “THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA, AND AN ASSAULT ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY” he tweeted.
SUCH ATROCIOUS LIES BY THE RADICAL LEFT, DO NOTHING DEMOCRATS. THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA, AND AN ASSAULT ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2019
Pelosi: Trump gave Democrats no choice but to pursue impeachment
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump gave “no choice” but to pursue impeachment.
Pelosi made the comments as she opened the six-hour debate on the articles of impeachment against Trump.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is followed by members of the news media inside Statuary Hall prior to voting in the US House of Representatives on two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, US [Tom Brenner/Reuters]
“It is a matter of fact that the President is an ongoing threat to our national security and the integrity of our elections, the basis of our democracy,” Pelosi said.
She added that Trump “launched an unprecedented, indiscriminate and categorical campaign of defiance and obstruction”.
US House begins debate on charges against Trump
The US House of Representatives opened six hours of debate on Wednesday on the impeachment resolution against Trump.
A vote on the two articles of impeachment is expected later in the day.
Procedural vote: indicative
Democrats overwhelmingly approved the rules for the debate, 228-197, with just two defections from Pelosi’s ranks, an early indication of how the votes will eventually fall on the articles of impeachment.
No Republicans supported the procedural vote, but Democrats picked up backing from Representative Justin Amash, the Michigan conservative, who left the Republican party this year to become an independent over his support for impeachment.
Mood: ‘Not good’
The mood on the House floor was tense on Wednesday morning as members solemnly gathered for what would be a long and intense debate on impeachment.
The press galleries and public seats were full as observers peered down on the August House floor.
“It does not feel good,” said Joe Kennedy III, a Democrat, announcing his intention to vote to impeach Trump.
“This is a sad day,” said Debbie Lesko, a Republican. “Democrats are tearing this country apart. They are tearing families apart.”
Representative Diana Degette, member presiding over the US House of Representatives, pounds the gavel to open the session to discuss rules ahead a vote on two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, US [House TV via Reuters]
Rules for impeachment vote
The highly divided House of Representatives debated the rules that would govern the general impeachment debate.
The president, who is expected to depart later for a rally in the election battleground state of Michigan fired off a series of Tweets in the morning.
House Republicans introduce motions aimed at disrupting debate
House Republicans kicked off Wednesday’s session with attempts to derail the impeachment debate.
The first motion to adjourn failed in the Democratic-led House.
Schiff: Will House members honour uphold their oath to the Constitution?
House Intelligence Committee chairman Adam Schiff, the top Democrat who led the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry, posted a question to his colleagues ahead of Wednesday’s vote.
“President Trump abused his power to cheat in the next election, then obstructed Congress to cover it up,” Schiff tweeted. “The only question is: Will members honor their oath to uphold the Constitution? History will remember the vote we take today. #DefendOurDemocracy”
President Trump abused his power to cheat in the next election, then obstructed Congress to cover it up.
The only question is: Will Members honor their oath to uphold the Constitution?
History will remember the vote we take today. #DefendOurDemocracy
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) December 18, 2019
US House opens session ahead of historic vote
The House of Representatives began debate on Wednesday ahead of a historic vote on two articles of impeachment against Trump.
The first hour of debate comes ahead of a procedural vote on the rule governing the main debate on impeachment.
The vote on charges against the Republican president, expected to come later on Wednesday, is expected to fall along party lines in the Democratic-controlled chamber.
#MerryImpeachmas trends on Twitter as House prepares vote
Impeachment supporters used #MerryImpeachmas on Wednesday morning to demand that Trump be impeached.
“#MerryImpeachmas everyone! The actions taken today will live on in the history books for a long time. May we learn from our mistakes and never allow the most powerful position in the free world to be taken by a pseudo Dictator,” tweeted one Twitter user.
#MerryImpeachmas everyone! The actions taken today will live on in the history books for a long time. May we learn from our mistakes and never allow the most powerful position in the free world to be taken by a pseudo Dictator. pic.twitter.com/3XvOsyepJh
— Matt Hogan (@3_Hogan) December 18, 2019
“I have been praying for your impeachment for over a year now. Prayers answered. #MerryImpeachmas,” tweeted another.
I have been praying for your impeachment for over a year now. Prayers answered. #MerryImpeachmas
— Sara Clark (@sjeffriesclark) December 18, 2019
Trump: Can you believe that I will be impeached today
Trump on Wednesday again denied any wrongdoing, tweeting: “I DID NOTHING WRONG”
“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. This should never happen to another President again. Say a PRAYER!” Trump said on Twitter.
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. This should never happen to another President again. Say a PRAYER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 18, 2019
House impeachment votes: What to watch for
- Spoiler alert – Trump is headed for a near-certain impeachment
- Any defections? – Expect most Democrats to vote for impeachment and all Republicans to vote against it. One freshman Democrat, Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey, has indicated he will oppose impeachment, then switch parties to become a Republican. Earlier this year, Justin Amash left the Republican party when he favoured impeachment. He is expected to vote yes to impeach. And one new Democratic congressman, Jared Golden of Maine, said he would vote to impeach on abuse of power but not obstruction.
- Will Wednesday’s debate change American minds? – That is still unclear. According to latest polling, the Democrats’ more than two months of investigation, including hours of public hearings did little to sway Republican voters to support impeachment.
- What about Trump? – the US president will likely continue tweeting throughout Wednesday’s vote. On Tuesday, he sent a scathing letter to House Democratic leaders, accusing them of “bring pain and suffering to our Republic for your own selfish, personal political gain”.
- Next stop: Senate – We may see more jabs traded in the Senate as leaders try to agree on next steps with a Senate trial.
Refresher: What is impeachment?
The founders of the US included impeachment in the US Constitution as an option for removal of presidents by Congress. Delegates to the constitutional convention of 1787 in Philadelphia agreed that presidents could be removed if found guilty by Congress of “treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors”.
The sole authority under the Constitution to bring articles of impeachment is vested in the House of Representatives where proceedings can begin in the Judiciary Committee. If the House approves articles of impeachment, or “impeaches” a president, he or she would then be subject to trial in the US Senate.
Read more on the US impeachment process here.
As thousands rally across the US ahead of the vote on Trump impeachment, we look at what exactly is impeachment – and how does it work? #ImpeachmentRally pic.twitter.com/kMojoNlg7r
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 18, 2019
House prepares for historic votes
Wednesday’s proceedings will kick off at 9am (14:00 GMT) with debate on the rule governing the longer impeachment debate. After the rule is approved, there will then be six hours of debate, divided equally among Democrats and Republicans. The final votes are expected in the afternoon or early evening.
Read more here.
Tuesday, December 17:
Thousands rally across US in favour of impeachment
A coalition of liberal groups organised rallies across the US in favour of impeachment.
Rallies were held from Washington, DC, to New York City and St Paul, Minnesota to Phoenix, Arizona, with protesters demanding Trump be impeached over his dealings with Ukraine.
Anti-Trump protesters rally in New York City to call for his impeachment [Bebeto Matthews/AP Photo]
“No one is above the law,” read one sign in Salt Lake City, Utah. “We already went over this, America does not want a king,” read another in Chicago, Illinois.
Read more here.
House panel sets rules for debate
The House Rules Committee approved the rules for Wednesday’s debate on the two articles of impeachment against Trump.
The panel approved six hours of floor debate on the resolution, which will be divided equally among Democrats and Republicans and led by the House Judiciary Committee leaders.
There will also one hour of debate prior to a procedural vote to approve the rule governing debate.
Trump sends blistering letter to Pelosi
In a letter addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday, Trump accused Democrats of pursuing an “illegal, partisan attempted coup” and declaring war on American democracy.
The rambling, six-page letter on White House letterhead largely restated the president’s objections to the impeachment inquiry but did so in accusatory and sometimes spiteful language that attacked Pelosi, congressional Democrats, Trump ‘s political rival Joe Biden and institutions such as the FBI.
“This is nothing more than an illegal, partisan attempted coup that will, based on recent sentiment, badly fail at the voting booth,” Trump’s letter stated.
“By proceeding with your invalid impeachment, you are violating your oaths of office, you are breaking your allegiance to the Constitution, and you are declaring open war on American Democracy,” Trump wrote.
“You view democracy as your enemy!” he added.
Read the full letter here.
Duelling speeches in Senate over impeachment next steps
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday brushed aside a Democratic request to call four current and former White House officials as witnesses in a Senate impeachment trial expected next month, sending another clear signal that he expects senators not to remove Trump from office.
Speaking from the Senate floor, McConnell said he would not allow a “fishing expedition” after a “slapdash” House impeachment process.
In his speech from the Senate floor, however, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said a trial without witnesses would be a “sham” and suggested Trump’s fellow Republicans favoured a cover-up.
Sparring over rules
At the Capitol, Democrats and Republicans sparred over the rules of debate on Tuesday with legislators arguing over the parameters for the debate.
“It’s unfortunate that we have to be here today, but the actions of the president of the United States make that necessary,” said Chairman Jim McGovern. “The evidence is as clear as it is overwhelming.″
House Rules Committee hearing in session on the impeachment against US President Donald Trump, on Capitol Hill in Washington, US [Anna Moneymaker/Pool via Reuters]
He said the president “jeopardised our national security. and he undermined our democracy” and added that “every day we let President Trump act like the law doesn’t apply to him, we move a little closer” to rule by dictators.
Republicans disagreed, firmly.
The top committee Republican, Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, said the split view among Americans over impeachment should be reason enough not to proceed with the rare action. “When half of Americans are telling you what you are doing is wrong, you should listen,” he said.
Senate trial: Democrats want four witnesses
Top Democrat in the Senate Chuck Schumer said he wants the trial to consider documents and hear testimony from four witnesses: Former National Security Adviser John Bolton, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Mulvaney aide Robert Blair and budget official Michael Duffey. Schumer has argued that such testimony could sway Republicans in favour of removing Trump.
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer holding his weekly news conference at the US Capitol in Washington, US [Jonathan Ernst/Reuters]
Trump has refused to cooperate with the House impeachment process and ordered current and former officials like those mentioned by Schumer not to testify or provide documents.
McConnell took aim at Schumer and Representative Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee that spearheaded the impeachment inquiry launched in September.
Giuliani: Trump ‘relied on’ on his claims
Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s personal lawyer, said in an interview with the New York Times published on Tuesday that he provided the president with information that the US ambassador to Ukraine was impeding investigations that could benefit Trump politically. Within weeks, she was recalled from her post.
In the interview, Giuliani portrayed himself as directly involved in the effort to remove Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, and he provided details indicating Trump’s knowledge of that effort.
Giuliani said he passed along information to Trump “a couple of times” about how Yovanovitch had frustrated efforts that could help Trump, including efforts to have Ukraine investigate political rival, Joe Biden.
Read more here.
