This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/jan/22/donald-trump-impeachment-trial-news-today-senate-live

The article has changed 28 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Trump impeachment: opening arguments begin in favor of president’s removal from office – live Trump impeachment: House managers argue for removal of president – live
(32 minutes later)
Adam Schiff says his team will present ‘a factual chronology’ of the events surrounding Trump’s impeachment House impeachment managers have 24 hours, spread over three days, to make their case before focus shifts to Trump’s legal team
As opening arguments continue, congressional reporters have raised additional concerns about the press restrictions imposed during the impeachment trial.
Reporters on Capitol Hill are generally allowed relatively free rein, giving them many opportunities to pose questions to lawmakers in hallways, but the restrictions have made that more difficult.
Like yesterday, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff is playing clips of Trump that he says proves the president’s abuse of power.Like yesterday, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff is playing clips of Trump that he says proves the president’s abuse of power.
One of the clips that Schiff just played was this interview Trump gave on the White House lawn in October:One of the clips that Schiff just played was this interview Trump gave on the White House lawn in October:
“If they were honest about it, they would start a major investigation into the Bidens,” Trump said at the time, when asked what he wanted the Ukrainian president to do.“If they were honest about it, they would start a major investigation into the Bidens,” Trump said at the time, when asked what he wanted the Ukrainian president to do.
“I would say President Zelenskiy, if it was me, I would start an investigation into the Bidens.”“I would say President Zelenskiy, if it was me, I would start an investigation into the Bidens.”
Inside the Senate chamber, congressional reporters said senators looked visibly exhausted as they heard the House impeachment managers present their opening arguments.Inside the Senate chamber, congressional reporters said senators looked visibly exhausted as they heard the House impeachment managers present their opening arguments.
Yesterday’s debate over the impeachment trial rules stretched past 2 a.m. ET, and senators were back on Capitol Hill this morning.Yesterday’s debate over the impeachment trial rules stretched past 2 a.m. ET, and senators were back on Capitol Hill this morning.
As the House impeachment managers present their opening arguments, the White House appears to be pushing back against the allegations in real time, sending out email blasts defending Trump.As the House impeachment managers present their opening arguments, the White House appears to be pushing back against the allegations in real time, sending out email blasts defending Trump.
Even though Senate Democrats’ multiple efforts to force new witness testimony failed yesterday, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff used the beginning of his team’s opening arguments to emphasize the need to hear from administration officials.Even though Senate Democrats’ multiple efforts to force new witness testimony failed yesterday, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff used the beginning of his team’s opening arguments to emphasize the need to hear from administration officials.
“You will hear their testimony at the same time as the American people — that is, if you allow it,” Schiff said.“You will hear their testimony at the same time as the American people — that is, if you allow it,” Schiff said.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has pushed for subpoenas of four Trump administration officials: acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney; former national security adviser John Bolton; Robert Blair, a senior adviser to Mulvaney; and Michael Duffey, associate director for national security at the office of management and budget.Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer has pushed for subpoenas of four Trump administration officials: acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney; former national security adviser John Bolton; Robert Blair, a senior adviser to Mulvaney; and Michael Duffey, associate director for national security at the office of management and budget.
Shortly before taking the Senate floor, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff dismissed a report that some Democratic senators have weighed leveraging the testimony of Hunter Biden, the former vice president’s son, in order to hear from John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser.Shortly before taking the Senate floor, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff dismissed a report that some Democratic senators have weighed leveraging the testimony of Hunter Biden, the former vice president’s son, in order to hear from John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser.
“This isn’t like some fantasy football trade,” Schiff said just before the impeachment trial resumed. “Trials aren’t trades for witnesses.”“This isn’t like some fantasy football trade,” Schiff said just before the impeachment trial resumed. “Trials aren’t trades for witnesses.”
Campaigning in Iowa, Joe Biden also denied that Senate Democrats were considering such a proposal. “No, they’re not,” the presidential candidate said when asked about the report.Campaigning in Iowa, Joe Biden also denied that Senate Democrats were considering such a proposal. “No, they’re not,” the presidential candidate said when asked about the report.
But one of the Washington Post reporters who spoke to Democratic officials about the proposal insisted the denials simply showed how sensitive the discussions were:But one of the Washington Post reporters who spoke to Democratic officials about the proposal insisted the denials simply showed how sensitive the discussions were:
Echoing his earlier comments, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff argued Trump’s actions toward Ukraine and House investigators prove the president believes he is “above the law.”Echoing his earlier comments, lead impeachment manager Adam Schiff argued Trump’s actions toward Ukraine and House investigators prove the president believes he is “above the law.”
The House intelligence committee chairman applauded the administration officials who testified during the public impeachment hearings, but he insisted other officials -- including former national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney -- should be asked to testify for the Senate trial.The House intelligence committee chairman applauded the administration officials who testified during the public impeachment hearings, but he insisted other officials -- including former national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney -- should be asked to testify for the Senate trial.
Schiff argued the documents that Trump was “unable to suppress” clearly “expose the president’s scheme in detail.”Schiff argued the documents that Trump was “unable to suppress” clearly “expose the president’s scheme in detail.”
The House impeachment managers now presenting their opening arguments will have 24 hours, spread over three days, to make their case, but it’s unclear whether they will use the full 24 hours.The House impeachment managers now presenting their opening arguments will have 24 hours, spread over three days, to make their case, but it’s unclear whether they will use the full 24 hours.
The focus will then shift to Trump’s legal team, who will also get 24 hours to present their opening arguments. The president’s lawyers have so far kept mum on how much of their 24 hours they intend to use.The focus will then shift to Trump’s legal team, who will also get 24 hours to present their opening arguments. The president’s lawyers have so far kept mum on how much of their 24 hours they intend to use.
Adam Schiff, the lead House impeachment manager, began his team’s opening arguments by thanking Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts for his handling of the trial yesterday.Adam Schiff, the lead House impeachment manager, began his team’s opening arguments by thanking Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts for his handling of the trial yesterday.
As yesterday’s proceedings concluded, Roberts admonished both sides for engaging in attacks against each other. “Those addressing the Senate should remember where they are,” Roberts said.As yesterday’s proceedings concluded, Roberts admonished both sides for engaging in attacks against each other. “Those addressing the Senate should remember where they are,” Roberts said.
Schiff then moved on to his team’s arguments, starting with a reading of an Alexander Hamilton quote that warned of “a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune.”Schiff then moved on to his team’s arguments, starting with a reading of an Alexander Hamilton quote that warned of “a man unprincipled in private life desperate in his fortune.”
Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post, and Trump’s impeachment trial has officially resumed.Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts has assumed his post, and Trump’s impeachment trial has officially resumed.
House impeachment managers will soon begin presenting their opening arguments for why the president should be removed from office.House impeachment managers will soon begin presenting their opening arguments for why the president should be removed from office.
The trial rules allows each side 24 hours, spread over three days, to present its opening arguments, but it’s unclear whether the managers will use the whole time.The trial rules allows each side 24 hours, spread over three days, to present its opening arguments, but it’s unclear whether the managers will use the whole time.
As the House impeachment managers explained their plans for presenting their opening argument today, three Republican senators held a dueling press conference to defend Trump.As the House impeachment managers explained their plans for presenting their opening argument today, three Republican senators held a dueling press conference to defend Trump.
Lindsey Graham, one of the president’s closest Senate allies, said House Democrats are “on a crusade to destroy” Trump and accused reporters of being “complicit” in his impeachment.Lindsey Graham, one of the president’s closest Senate allies, said House Democrats are “on a crusade to destroy” Trump and accused reporters of being “complicit” in his impeachment.
“To my Democratic colleagues, you can say what you want about me, but I’m covering up nothing,” Graham said.“To my Democratic colleagues, you can say what you want about me, but I’m covering up nothing,” Graham said.
Adam Schiff, the lead House impeachment manager, told reporters on Capitol Hill that his team would present “a factual chronology” of the events surrounding Trump’s impeachment.Adam Schiff, the lead House impeachment manager, told reporters on Capitol Hill that his team would present “a factual chronology” of the events surrounding Trump’s impeachment.
The California Democrat also dismissed a suggestion that John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, could be called in to testify in exchange for calling Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, to Capitol Hill.The California Democrat also dismissed a suggestion that John Bolton, Trump’s former national security adviser, could be called in to testify in exchange for calling Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, to Capitol Hill.
“This isn’t like some fantasy football trade,” Schiff said. “Trials aren’t trades for witnesses.”“This isn’t like some fantasy football trade,” Schiff said. “Trials aren’t trades for witnesses.”
He concluded by offering a somber note about the managers presenting their case for Trump’s removal to the American public. “We’re trying this case to two juries: the Senate and the American people,” Schiff said.He concluded by offering a somber note about the managers presenting their case for Trump’s removal to the American public. “We’re trying this case to two juries: the Senate and the American people,” Schiff said.
The House impeachment managers will start presenting their opening arguments in favor of Trump’s removal from office in about a half an hour.The House impeachment managers will start presenting their opening arguments in favor of Trump’s removal from office in about a half an hour.
Here’s where the day stands so far:Here’s where the day stands so far:
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer accused his Republican colleagues of trying to prevent a fair trial from taking place, saying the president’s legal team appeared “unprepared, confused and unconvincing” yesterday.Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer accused his Republican colleagues of trying to prevent a fair trial from taking place, saying the president’s legal team appeared “unprepared, confused and unconvincing” yesterday.
Early this morning, Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, who is overseeing the trial, admonished both sides for their attacks on each other. “Those addressing the Senate should remember where they are,” Roberts said.Early this morning, Supreme Court chief justice John Roberts, who is overseeing the trial, admonished both sides for their attacks on each other. “Those addressing the Senate should remember where they are,” Roberts said.
The DC attorney general sued Trump’s inaugural committee for alleged misuse of funds at the president’s Washington hotel.The DC attorney general sued Trump’s inaugural committee for alleged misuse of funds at the president’s Washington hotel.
The blog will be providing updates and analysis once the trial resumes, so stay tuned.The blog will be providing updates and analysis once the trial resumes, so stay tuned.