The vote paves the way for the opening, presumably next Tuesday, of the impeachment trial of the President of the United States, the third in the history of the country. Seven elected Democrats in the House of Representatives were appointed, Wednesday, January 15, to serve as prosecutors in the trial of Donald Trump, in a vote that also validated the transmission to the Senate of the indictment against the American president . "Today we are making history"said the Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, when signing the US President’s indictment.
"Here we are: another scam orchestrated by Democrats-who-do-nothing"immediately reacted on Twitter the tenant of the White House, who claims to be a victim since the start of the Ukrainian affair of a " witch hunt " unprecedented. Originally the President’s removal from office, a phone call was made between Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Mr. Trump asked for investigations into his political opponents.
Like December 18, when the Democrats' lower house of Congress indicted Donald Trump for abusing power and obstructing congressional work, Wednesday's vote followed, with one exception, strictly partisan lines .
Deep divisions
Before this vote, the Democratic House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, released the names of the elected officials chosen to lay the charge in the Senate. Several former prosecutors, a former police official, a lawyer: "The focus is on legal experience", she said. "What is important is to present the strongest dossier possible in order to protect and defend our Constitution, and to bring out the truth", had added Mme Pelosi, by entrusting Adam Schiff with the responsibility of leading this team which, with three women, two Blacks and a Hispanic, also reflects the diversity of the party.
Head of the House Intelligence Committee, the 59-year-old elected official supervised the impeachment investigation against Donald Trump who, for this reason, gave him several nicknames, including "Schiff the deceiver", and asked for his arrest for "Treason". Among the other six elected Democrats in the House is Jerry Nadler, the chairman of the judicial commission who was already fighting against Donald Trump in New York long before his election as head of the United States.
Adam Schiff for his part accused Donald Trump of having "Placed his personal interests before those of the Nation", asking Ukraine to help it " cheat " to win the presidential election in November. Democrats believe the president froze military aid to Kiev to force his president to smear Joe Biden, who is well-placed to confront him at the polls. He has "Used funds voted by Congress", again attacked Mme Pelosi. Does he have them "Considered an ATM? ", she quipped.
"National nightmare"
Republicans have denounced a procedure "Partisan" fed by " the version " Democrats for the President. It is "A national nightmare", said House Leader Kevin McCarthy. Donald trump "Did nothing wrong", reaffirmed for its part the White House. "He is eager to take advantage of the rights that Mr.me Pelosi and the Democrats in the House have denied him and expect to be completely cleared "spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham added in a statement
In the evening, Adam Schiff and his team crossed the corridors of the Capitol to bring the indictment to the Senate, which is constitutionally charged with trying the president. The Trump presiding judge will be sworn in on Thursday. Other approaches "Preliminary" will take place, including the swearing in of 100 senators before the President of the Supreme Court of the United States, John Roberts, predicted the Republican head of the upper house, Mitch McConnell. Monday is a public holiday in the United States, the trial should really start on Tuesday, said this loyal defender of Donald Trump, who recognized in December "Coordinate" with the White House to organize the trial.
An acquittal of the President of the United States, due to the Republican majority in the Senate, is the most likely outcome so far.
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