Trump impeachment articles read out on US Senate floor

WASHINGTON: The charges against Donald Trump were read out Thursday on the US Senate floor as the historic impeachment trial of the US president got underway. “In his conduct of the office of President of the United States, and in violation of his constitutional oath... Donald J. Trump has abused the powers of the presidency,” Representative Adam Schiff said as he began reading from the first article of impeachment. Trump “is impeached for high crimes and misdemeanors,” added Schiff, who is one of the House managers tasked with prosecuting the case against the president.

“Using the powers of his high office, President Trump solicited the interference of a foreign government, Ukraine, in the 2020 United States Presidential election,” Schiff added. With the Senate formally accepting the two articles of impeachment, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts was to be sworn in at 2:00 pm (1900 GMT) Thursday to preside over the trial that will address Trump´s conduct regarding Ukraine. Roberts then swears in the 100 senators, who together will serve as a court of impeachment for what is expected to be the next two weeks. All 100 senators are required to remain seated — and silent — during the trial, and the Senate Sergeant of Arms, Michael Stenger, issued such a warning at the beginning of the proceedings. “Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye,” Stenger announced.

“All persons are commanded to keep silent, on pain of imprisonment, while the House of Representatives is exhibiting to the Senate of the United States, articles of impeachment against Donald John Trump, President of the United States. The formal proceedings carry deep historical significance, as it marks only the third time an impeachment trial has been held for a US president. “A chill ran down my spine when Schiff said the words ´high crimes and misdemeanors.´ Heavy times,” tweeted Democrat Senator Chris Murphy after leaving the chamber.

Another report says President Donald Trump “knew exactly what was going on” with an alleged campaign to pressure Ukrainian officials to investigate political rival Joe Biden, an indicted member of his inner circle told US media. Trump has strongly denied allegations he ordered a campaign pressuring Ukrainian officials to investigate the business dealings of former vice president Biden and his son, part of the impeachment inquiry that will formally read out charges facing the president in the Senate Thursday.

Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, told MSNBC on Wednesday that “President Trump knew exactly what was going on.” “He was aware of all my movements. I wouldn’t do anything without the consent of Rudy Giuliani or the president.”