Washington, USA
Democrats in the US House of
Representatives on Wednesday unveiled a seven-member team of 'impeachment
managers' to prosecute President Donald Trump. After House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
signed the articles of impeachment, the managers made a landmark promenade
to deliver the papers to the Senate.
House lawmakers on Wednesday voted 228 to 193 to
give the Senate, controlled by Trump's fellow Republicans, the task of putting
him on trial on the two articles of impeachment, i.e.
1) abuse of power for asking Ukraine to
investigate political rival Joe Biden; and 2) obstruction of
Congress for blocking testimony and documents sought by Democratic lawmakers.
US House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi selected a team of seven "impeachment managers", who will
act in a prosecutorial role and present the pro-impeachment
case before the Senate.
House Intelligence Committee
Chairman Adam Schiff, a Trump nemesis who served as a federal prosecutor in Los
Angeles for six years, was selected to head the team of managers.
Minutes before signing Trump's
articles of impeachment, Pelosi gestured towards a portrait of George
Washington above the House floor, saying, "The president takes an oath
that was taken by George Washington. So sad, so tragic."
"When the managers walk
the hall, they will cross a threshold in history, delivering articles of
impeachment against the president of the United States for abuse of power and
obstruction of the House. Today we will make history."
Pelosi formally signed the two articles of impeachment against Trump, a rare
ritual called an "engrossment ceremony". In doing so, she
rotated between a dozen-odd different pens. Upon signing, she
distributed the pens to the impeachment managers and other House members.
While many observers delighted
in Pelosi's gesture, others felt it was inappropriate to the occasion.
Immediately thereafter,
the impeachment managers made the history-making walk across the marbled
floors of the Capitol Building and delivered the articles to the Senate.
This was the first time since
Bill Clinton's impeachment proceedings 22 years ago that this
momentous promenade had taken place.
Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mitch McConnell,
said that the Senate would formally receive the articles Thursday January 16 at
midday EST (6pm in Paris, 5pm GMT).
Formal opening arguments, both
pro-and anti-impeachment, start on Tuesday January 21.
Pelosi launched
the impeachment inquiry in September after earlier resisting such a
move centred on Trump's actions to impede a federal investigation that
documented Russian interference in the 2016 election to boost his candidacy.
The trial will focus attention
on Trump's request that
Ukraine investigate domestic political rival Joe Biden, just as the 2020
presidential campaign heats up.
A fight over witnesses remains
unresolved. Senate Democrats in the Republican-controlled chamber want four
current and former Trump administration officials to testify, while many
Republicans want a speedy trial without witness testimony.
Trump has at times said he wants to hear from
witnesses, albeit not the same ones the Democrats want to testify.
Democrats need at least four Republicans to join them to reach a majority of 51
senators to approve the subpoenas.
The 100-seat Senate is
expected to acquit Trump, keeping him in office, as none of its 53 Republicans
has voiced support for removing him, a step that under the US Constitution
would require a two-thirds majority.
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