Washington - House impeachment managers continued their
hours-long arguments for removing President Donald Trump on Thursday,
with no indication that they have moved any Republicans to their
side.
Two-thirds of the 100-member chamber are required to agree to remove
a president from office. The Senate is controlled by Trump's
Republican party, meaning the most likely outcome is acquittal.
House impeachment manager Jerry Nadler began on Thursday by laying
out a constitutional argument that proving Trump committed a specific
crime is not the only basis for him to be impeached.
Impeachment can also be used for presidents who "act as if they are
above the law" Nadler argued, contradicting the White House's claim
that a criminal act is required.
Democrats say Trump's removal is necessary to protect the country's
democracy, while Republicans have blasted the move as a partisan
attempt to undermine the November presidential elections.
"We have an election in nine months where the American people can
judge President Trump themselves," Senator Bill Cassidy said Thursday
on Fox News.
The impeachment managers are now two-thirds of the way through their
arguments for removing Trump and are expected to conclude on Friday.
Democrats hope they can convince at least four Republican senators to
switch sides in order to garner a majority to vote in favour of
introducing new witnesses and other evidence to the trial.
The vote on witnesses is likely to take place next week, in line with
trial rules.
While Democrats say the current evidence is already
"overwhelming," they also say key White House officials - including
former national security advisor John Bolton - could provide valuable
testimony on Trump's actions involving Ukraine.
The Democrat-appointed impeachment managers argue that Trump abused
his power by withholding a White House meeting and nearly 400 dollars
in military aid in a bid to pressure Kiev into investigating his
political rival, Joe Biden.
Trump then used his presidential powers to cover up his wrongdoing by
blocking lawmakers' access to key documents and witnesses, Democrats
say.
"You know you can't trust this president to do what's right for this
country. You can trust he will do what's right for Donald
Trump," Adam Schiff, the lead impeachment manager, said Thursday.
"If you find him guilty, you must find that he should be removed.
Because [what is] right matters and the truth matters, otherwise we
are lost," Schiff added.
Trump is the third president in US history to be impeached and face
the prospect of removal.
Likely starting on Saturday, Trump's defence lawyers will be given 24
hours spread out over three days to present their case.
"We are ready for the president's team to put their defence
on," Republican Senator John Barrasso told reporters on Thursday. "We
have heard plenty from the House now."