Democrats charge Trump with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress

On Tuesday, Democrats kicked off the process of impeaching President Donald Trump, introducing two articles of impeachment—abuse of power and obstruction of Congress—that could be put to vote as early as next week in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives.

This would make Trump the fourth president to face impeachment charges.

Jerry Nadler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said Trump has endangered US democracy and national security. "Our president holds the ultimate public trust...When he betrays that trust and puts himself before country, he endangers the constitution, he endangers our democracy and he endangers our national security."

“No one, not even the president, is above the law,” Nadler said.

Adam Schiff, head of the House Intelligence Committee, said that there was overwhelming evidence of Trump’s conduct. "The evidence of the president's conduct is overwhelming and uncontested."  

Trump responded to the decision on Twitter. “WITCH HUNT,” he tweeted in all-caps. He added, “Nadler just said that I “pressured Ukraine to interfere in our 2020 Election.” Ridiculous, and he knows that is not true. Both the President & Foreign Minister of Ukraine said, many times, that there ‘WAS NO PRESSURE.’ Nadler and the Dems know this, but refuse to acknowledge!”

The White House responded saying they would “address these false charges” at the Senate trial. White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham said the Democrats move would hurt the American people. “The announcement of two baseless articles of impeachment does not hurt the President, it hurts the American people, who expect their elected officials to work on their behalf to strengthen our Nation.”

The Judiciary Committee will meet later in the week to consider the articles of impeachment. The articles are likely to be forwarded to the House of Representatives next week.

The Democrat-controlled lower house of the US Congress is likely to successfully vote for the president’s impeachment, moving the debate to the Republican Senate where a similar outcome (in January) is unlikely.