pbs--2020-01-22--Democrats push familiar case on first day of oral arguments

House prosecutors Wednesday accused President Donald Trump of abusing his power to try and cheat in the 2020 presidential election , offering a stark portrait of misconduct on the first day of oral arguments in the Senate impeachment trial .
During the House managers ’ first day for oral arguments , the White House legal team had to sit and listen without offering a rebuttal .
Trump ’ s defenders can not present their case in the Senate until House Democrats finish their oral arguments at the end of the week .
Until then , Democrats have the floor , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ narrative in a fast-moving trial that could be over as soon as next week .
The Democrats ’ opening arguments were familiar to those who followed the impeachment hearings in the House .
According to House Intelligence Chairman and lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , and the other House prosecutors , there is ample evidence that Trump abused his office by asking a foreign power to hurt a domestic political rival in the 2020 election .
Trump “ put his own interest above the national interest , ” Schiff argued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House meeting from Ukraine in an effort to pressure the country to investigate former vice president and 2020 presidential contender Joe Biden and his son , Hunter .
The president ’ s actions represented an attempt to “ cheat in an election , ” Schiff said .
The charges weren ’ t new .
Democrats did not present new information during their first day of oral arguments , though they say they have been barred from doing so by Senate Republicans who refuse to hear testimony from key witnesses , or view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The issue of witnesses has been tabled for now .
Democrats can not try to force a vote on calling new witnesses until both sides finish presenting their arguments .
For now , Democrats will have to rely on the evidence they gathered during the House impeachment inquiry .
‘ The same points over and over ’ The House prosecution ’ s oral arguments could go for another two days , under the trial rules adopted late Tuesday night .
Democrats have signaled they plan to use most , if not all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make their case .
Schiff told reporters the prosecution was assuming some of the senators did not watch all of the House impeachment hearings , and may be receiving some of the information for the first time .
The approach carries some risks , however .
Republicans have been grumbling for days that they understand the prosecution ’ s case , and do not want to hear it repeated .
“ We ’ re going to see an awful lot of repetition , [ with Democrats ] making the same points over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ted Cruz , R-Texas .
As the trial continues , the House prosecutors can not afford to alienate moderate Republican senators .
Democrats will need support from four Republicans to approve a measure calling new witnesses and to obtain documents .
Making an exhaustive — and repetitive — case may have the opposite effect .
Instead of winning over skeptical senators , Democrats may end up pushing them further away .
The Senate sergeant-at-arms starts each day of the Senate trial with an unusual warning that seems out of place in the modern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ye , hear ye !
All persons are commanded to keep silence , on pain of imprisonment.
” The language dates back to the first U.S. presidential impeachment trial , in 1868 .
Much has changed in the century-and-a-half since then .
But the scene inside the chamber this week has been remarkably low-tech , preserving the Senate ’ s reputation as an old-fashioned legislative body that clings tightly to tradition .
Senators are not allowed to speak while the House managers and White House counsel present their case .
The lawmakers can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equipment — such as laptops or smart watches — into the chamber .
The rules are being enforced ; at least one senator who forgot to leave their phone outside the chamber was seen being asked by a Senate page to put the phone in their desk , though there are some reports of senators sporting Apple watches in the chamber.. As a result , the senators have had no choice but to pay attention .
There have been some notable exceptions .
Several senators appeared to fall asleep at various points Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into the early morning hours .
Others , looking bored or tired ( or both ) , got up and walked around to stay alert .
By Wednesday , the senators were wide awake .
Most appeared to be following the first day of opening arguments closely .
There was plenty of note taking and fewer side conversations .
It was a rare moment of relatively undivided focus for lawmakers who typically juggle numerous issues at once .
But the presence of several Democratic senators running for president served as a constant reminder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chamber .
History , with few disruptions ( for now ) The historic setting laid bare the seriousness of the moment , and the political stakes involved for Trump and the senators who must cast a final vote at the end of the trial .
It appears there is nothing Democrats can say at this point to change the outcome ; the president ’ s acquittal is a foregone conclusion .
But for viewers tuning into the trial for the first time , the backdrop was dramatic nonetheless : the silent U.S. Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts sat listening to allegations that the president committed misdeeds worthy of his removal from office .
On Tuesday , Roberts surprised many by issuing a stern admonishment to both sides to maintain decorum and avoid personal attacks .
The chief justice stayed out of the spotlight Wednesday , choosing not to insert himself into the proceedings during the prosecution ’ s opening arguments .
The lone disruption came from a protestor who momentarily brought the trial to a halt when he began screaming in a public gallery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly removed by security and arrested in a hallway outside .
The incident may foreshadow a more chaotic environment in Washington as the trial proceeds .
Trump announced Wednesday that he would attend the March for Life rally on the National Mall on Friday .
Trump will be the first president to attend the annual gathering of abortion opponents .
The rally will take place in view of the Capitol , allowing Trump to criticize the impeachment trial in a speech to supporters at the same time as the Senate weighs the fate @ @ @ @

House prosecutors Wednesday accused President Donald Trump of abusing his power to try and cheat in the 2020 presidential election, offering a stark portrait of misconduct on the first day of oral arguments in the Senate impeachment trial.
During the House managers’ first day for oral arguments, the White House legal team had to sit and listen without offering a rebuttal. Trump’s defenders cannot present their case in the Senate until House Democrats finish their oral arguments at the end of the week.
Until then, Democrats have the floor, and an opportunity to shape the early narrative in a fast-moving trial that could be over as soon as next week.
Democrats press a familiar case
The Democrats’ opening arguments were familiar to those who followed the impeachment hearings in the House. According to House Intelligence Chairman and lead House impeachment manager Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and the other House prosecutors, there is ample evidence that Trump abused his office by asking a foreign power to hurt a domestic political rival in the 2020 election.
Trump “put his own interest above the national interest,” Schiff argued, by withholding military aid and a White House meeting from Ukraine in an effort to pressure the country to investigate former vice president and 2020 presidential contender Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. The president’s actions represented an attempt to “cheat in an election,” Schiff said.
The charges weren’t new. Democrats did not present new information during their first day of oral arguments, though they say they have been barred from doing so by Senate Republicans who refuse to hear testimony from key witnesses, or view documents being withheld by the White House.
The issue of witnesses has been tabled for now. Democrats cannot try to force a vote on calling new witnesses until both sides finish presenting their arguments. For now, Democrats will have to rely on the evidence they gathered during the House impeachment inquiry.
‘The same points over and over’
The House prosecution’s oral arguments could go for another two days, under the trial rules adopted late Tuesday night. Democrats have signaled they plan to use most, if not all, of the 24 hours they have to make their case. Schiff told reporters the prosecution was assuming some of the senators did not watch all of the House impeachment hearings, and may be receiving some of the information for the first time.
The approach carries some risks, however. Republicans have been grumbling for days that they understand the prosecution’s case, and do not want to hear it repeated. “We’re going to see an awful lot of repetition, [with Democrats] making the same points over and over again,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas.
As the trial continues, the House prosecutors cannot afford to alienate moderate Republican senators. Democrats will need support from four Republicans to approve a measure calling new witnesses and to obtain documents. Making an exhaustive — and repetitive — case may have the opposite effect. Instead of winning over skeptical senators, Democrats may end up pushing them further away.
No cellphones, no distractions
The Senate sergeant-at-arms starts each day of the Senate trial with an unusual warning that seems out of place in the modern era: “Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye! All persons are commanded to keep silence, on pain of imprisonment.”
The language dates back to the first U.S. presidential impeachment trial, in 1868. Much has changed in the century-and-a-half since then. But the scene inside the chamber this week has been remarkably low-tech, preserving the Senate’s reputation as an old-fashioned legislative body that clings tightly to tradition.
Senators are not allowed to speak while the House managers and White House counsel present their case. The lawmakers cannot bring their cellphones or other electronic equipment — such as laptops or smart watches — into the chamber. The rules are being enforced; at least one senator who forgot to leave their phone outside the chamber was seen being asked by a Senate page to put the phone in their desk, though there are some reports of senators sporting Apple watches in the chamber..
As a result, the senators have had no choice but to pay attention. There have been some notable exceptions. Several senators appeared to fall asleep at various points Tuesday night, as the rules debate stretched into the early morning hours. Others, looking bored or tired (or both), got up and walked around to stay alert.
By Wednesday, the senators were wide awake. Most appeared to be following the first day of opening arguments closely. There was plenty of note taking and fewer side conversations. It was a rare moment of relatively undivided focus for lawmakers who typically juggle numerous issues at once. But the presence of several Democratic senators running for president served as a constant reminder that political pressures are lurking outside the chamber.
History, with few disruptions (for now)
The historic setting laid bare the seriousness of the moment, and the political stakes involved for Trump and the senators who must cast a final vote at the end of the trial. It appears there is nothing Democrats can say at this point to change the outcome; the president’s acquittal is a foregone conclusion.
But for viewers tuning into the trial for the first time, the backdrop was dramatic nonetheless: the silent U.S. Senate chamber, where all 100 senators and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts sat listening to allegations that the president committed misdeeds worthy of his removal from office.
On Tuesday, Roberts surprised many by issuing a stern admonishment to both sides to maintain decorum and avoid personal attacks. The chief justice stayed out of the spotlight Wednesday, choosing not to insert himself into the proceedings during the prosecution’s opening arguments. The lone disruption came from a protestor who momentarily brought the trial to a halt when he began screaming in a public gallery inside the chamber. The protester was quickly removed by security and arrested in a hallway outside.
The incident may foreshadow a more chaotic environment in Washington as the trial proceeds. Trump announced Wednesday that he would attend the March for Life rally on the National Mall on Friday. Trump will be the first president to attend the annual gathering of abortion opponents. The rally will take place in view of the Capitol, allowing Trump to criticize the impeachment trial in a speech to supporters at the same time as the Senate weighs the fate of his presidency.


pbs--2020-01-22--Schiff takes conciliatory tone after Roberts' admonishment

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — Rep. Adam Schiff , the lead impeachment manager , took a conciliatory tone at President Donald Trump ’ s Senate trial on Wednesday after Chief Justice John Roberts had admonished House prosecutors and Trump ’ s defense team for using language that was “ not conducive to civil discourse.
” Roberts ’ comments came around 1 a.m. Wednesday after another impeachment manager , Rep. Jerrold Nadler , charged that the White House lawyers were lying .
Nadler , the House Judiciary Committee chairman , also told senators that voting to deny certain witnesses in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was a “ treacherous vote ” and a vote against the United States .
Trump ’ s defense team responded that Nadler , D-N.Y. , should be embarrassed and should apologize to the president and the American people .
“ I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and the president ’ s counsel , in equal terms , to remember that they are addressing the world ’ s greatest deliberative body , ” Roberts said .
He asked them to “ avoid speaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not conducive to civil discourse.
” Roberts is presiding over only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history .
It comes just weeks before the first primaries of the 2020 election season and as voters are assessing Trump ’ s first term and weighing the candidates who want to challenge him in the fall .
House Democrats impeached the president last month on two charges : abuse of power by withholding U.S. military aid to Ukraine as Trump pressed Ukraine ’ s leader to investigate Trump ’ s Democratic rival Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusing to comply with their impeachment inquiry .
Trump ’ s legal team has argued that the Republican president did “ absolutely nothing wrong ” and urged the Senate to swiftly reject the “ flawed ” case against him .
READ MORE : PBS NewsHour ’ s guide to the impeachment proceedings Opening the first day of House arguments , Schiff , D-Calif. , said he wanted to begin by thanking Roberts for “ a very long day ” and by thanking the senators for their patience .
He said they were “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long days of arguments .
Schiff , chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , predicted before arguments began that “ you ’ re going to have tempers flare ” if a trial were to go late into the night .
And on Wednesday , senators expressed frustration at the early morning tone .
Sen. Josh Hawley , R-Mo.
, called Nadler ’ s words “ extraordinary.
” “ They managed to alienate senators , attack their own jury , ” said Hawley , who once served as a law clerk for Roberts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him deliver an admonishment like that from the bench , ever .
He chooses his words very very carefully.
” Roberts ’ words came as a surprise after he had remained mostly quiet during the first 12 hours of the day .
But he made it clear , to both sides , that he was in charge and monitoring their conduct .
Roberts ’ new role presiding over the trial is one of two jobs he is juggling as the impeachment session gets underway .
On Tuesday morning , he oversaw two arguments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the street to the Capitol .
Roberts was back on the bench at the high court again on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. — just hours after the first day of the trial adjourned at 2 a.m .
The court was hearing arguments in a case from Montana that could make it easier to use public money to pay for religious schooling in many states .
Over the past 14 years , Roberts has gotten comfortable in the role of chief justice of the United States , but presiding over Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Roberts , who is used to proceedings that aren ’ t televised as they are in the Senate .
Chief Justice William Rehnquist had a similar experience presiding over the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999 .
But Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase didn ’ t have to contend with television cameras when he presided over the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868 .
Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report .
• Read the full articles of impeachment against Trump • Should Trump be removed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • WATCH : House votes to impeach Trump after hours of debate • ‘ Here ’ s the Deal ’ with impeachment .
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Adam Schiff, the lead impeachment manager, took a conciliatory tone at President Donald Trump’s Senate trial on Wednesday after Chief Justice John Roberts had admonished House prosecutors and Trump’s defense team for using language that was “not conducive to civil discourse.”
Roberts’ comments came around 1 a.m. Wednesday after another impeachment manager, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, charged that the White House lawyers were lying. Nadler, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, also told senators that voting to deny certain witnesses in the trial, as many GOP senators had, was a “treacherous vote” and a vote against the United States. Trump’s defense team responded that Nadler, D-N.Y., should be embarrassed and should apologize to the president and the American people.
“I think it is appropriate at this point for me to admonish both the House managers and the president’s counsel, in equal terms, to remember that they are addressing the world’s greatest deliberative body,” Roberts said. He asked them to “avoid speaking in a manner and using language that is not conducive to civil discourse.”
Roberts is presiding over only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history. It comes just weeks before the first primaries of the 2020 election season and as voters are assessing Trump’s first term and weighing the candidates who want to challenge him in the fall.
House Democrats impeached the president last month on two charges: abuse of power by withholding U.S. military aid to Ukraine as Trump pressed Ukraine’s leader to investigate Trump’s Democratic rival Joe Biden, and obstruction of Congress by refusing to comply with their impeachment inquiry.
Trump’s legal team has argued that the Republican president did “absolutely nothing wrong” and urged the Senate to swiftly reject the “flawed” case against him.
READ MORE: PBS NewsHour’s guide to the impeachment proceedings
Opening the first day of House arguments, Schiff, D-Calif., said he wanted to begin by thanking Roberts for “a very long day” and by thanking the senators for their patience. He said they were “deeply grateful” for their attention through the long days of arguments.
Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, predicted before arguments began that “you’re going to have tempers flare” if a trial were to go late into the night. And on Wednesday, senators expressed frustration at the early morning tone. Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called Nadler’s words “extraordinary.”
“They managed to alienate senators, attack their own jury,” said Hawley, who once served as a law clerk for Roberts. “I’ve never heard him deliver an admonishment like that from the bench, ever. He chooses his words very very carefully.”
Roberts’ words came as a surprise after he had remained mostly quiet during the first 12 hours of the day. But he made it clear, to both sides, that he was in charge and monitoring their conduct.
Roberts’ new role presiding over the trial is one of two jobs he is juggling as the impeachment session gets underway. On Tuesday morning, he oversaw two arguments at the Supreme Court before heading across the street to the Capitol.
Roberts was back on the bench at the high court again on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. — just hours after the first day of the trial adjourned at 2 a.m. The court was hearing arguments in a case from Montana that could make it easier to use public money to pay for religious schooling in many states.
Over the past 14 years, Roberts has gotten comfortable in the role of chief justice of the United States, but presiding over Trump’s trial is a new, public role for Roberts, who is used to proceedings that aren’t televised as they are in the Senate.
Chief Justice William Rehnquist had a similar experience presiding over the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton in 1999. But Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase didn’t have to contend with television cameras when he presided over the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson in 1868.
Associated Press writer Mark Sherman contributed to this report.
Read more


pbs--2020-01-22--Trump administration approves Keystone pipeline on U.S. land

BILLINGS , Mont .
( AP ) — The Trump administration on Wednesday approved a right-of-way allowing the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline to be built across U.S. land , pushing the controversial $ 8 billion project closer to construction though court challenges still loom .
The approval signed by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and obtained by The Associated Press covers 46 miles ( 74 kilometers ) of the pipeline ’ s route across land in Montana that ’ s controlled by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers , said Casey Hammond , assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segments of federal land are a small fraction of the pipeline ’ s 1,200-mile ( 1,930-kilometer ) route , but the right-of-way was crucial for a project that ’ s obtained all the needed permits at the state and local levels .
The pipeline would transport up to 830,000 barrels ( 35 million gallons ) of crude oil daily from western Canada to terminals on the U.S. Gulf Coast .
Project sponsor TC Energy said in a court filing that it wants to begin construction on the U.S.-Canada border crossing in Montana in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plans in court .
First proposed in 2008 , the pipeline has become emblematic of the tensions between economic development and curbing the fossil fuel emissions that are causing climate change .
The Obama administration rejected it , but President Donald Trump revived it and has been a strong supporter .
The stretch approved Wednesday includes all federal land crossed by the line , Hammond said .
Much of the rest of the route is across private land , for which TC Energy has been acquiring permissions to build on .
Environmentalists and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say burning the tar sands oil will make climate change worse , and that the pipeline could break and spill oil into waterways like Montana ’ s Missouri River .
They have filed numerous lawsuits .
Hammond said Interior officials and other agencies have done a thorough review of the potential effects on the environment .
He said TC Energy had provided detailed plans to respond to any spill .
READ MORE : ‘ We need to know ’ more about Keystone oil pipeline leak , tribal chairman says “ We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been done , ” Hammond said .
Another oil pipeline in TC Energy ’ s Keystone network in October spilled an estimated 383,000 gallons ( 1.4 million liters ) of oil in eastern North Dakota .
Critics say a damaging spill from Keystone XL is inevitable given the length of the line and the many rivers and other waterways it would cross beneath .
An attorney for environmental groups that have sued to overturn Trump ’ s permit for the line said they will ask the judge in the case to block the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confidence that the federal courts will set aside these approvals , ” said Steve Volker , who represents the Indigenous Environmental Network .
Additional approvals from the Army Corps of Engineers are needed for the pipeline ’ s impact to Montana ’ s Fort Peck dam .
Two utilities must approve power lines that would connect to the project ’ s pumping stations .
On Montana ’ s Fort Peck Reservation , where tribal members fear an oil spill getting into water supplies , state Sen. Frank Smith said Trump ’ s strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pushing it through .
“ All we can do is pray from here on in , ” Smith said .
“ The president said it ’ s going through , and it ’ s going through.
” The Democratic lawmaker added that despite TC Energy ’ s pledge to operate safely , “ there can still be human error ” and another spill would happen .
TC Energy spokeswoman Sara Rabern said in a statement that the government approval marked an “ important step as we advance towards building this important energy infrastructure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the line would cross the Canada border into the U.S. , officials want the tax revenue on the oil that would pass through , estimated at more than $ 1 million annually .
“ It ’ s a no-brainer for us as far as how the community feels , ” county commissioner John Carnahan said .
“ We ’ d go out there and help them if we could .
It ’ s not only good for the county , it ’ s good for America.
” U.S. District Judge Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from environmentalists to block construction in December because no work was immediately planned .
But he also has ruled against the project , including a 2018 decision that stalled the line and prompted Trump to issue a new presidential permit for it to cross the U.S.-Canada border .
In Nebraska , the state Supreme Court removed the last major obstacle for the project in August when it ruled in favor of state regulators who had approved a route for the pipeline in 2017 .
TC Energy intends next month to begin mobilizing construction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipeline storage yards in Montana , South Dakota and Nebraska , according to its court filings .
It also plans to start toppling trees along the route in parts of South Dakota .
Associated Press reporter Grant Schulte in Lincoln , Nebraska , contributed to this report .

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Trump administration on Wednesday approved a right-of-way allowing the Keystone XL oil sands pipeline to be built across U.S. land, pushing the controversial $8 billion project closer to construction though court challenges still loom.
The approval signed by Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and obtained by The Associated Press covers 46 miles (74 kilometers) of the pipeline’s route across land in Montana that’s controlled by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said Casey Hammond, assistant secretary of the Interior Department.
Those segments of federal land are a small fraction of the pipeline’s 1,200-mile (1,930-kilometer) route, but the right-of-way was crucial for a project that’s obtained all the needed permits at the state and local levels.
The pipeline would transport up to 830,000 barrels (35 million gallons) of crude oil daily from western Canada to terminals on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Project sponsor TC Energy said in a court filing that it wants to begin construction on the U.S.-Canada border crossing in Montana in April. Opponents promised to challenge those plans in court.
First proposed in 2008, the pipeline has become emblematic of the tensions between economic development and curbing the fossil fuel emissions that are causing climate change. The Obama administration rejected it, but President Donald Trump revived it and has been a strong supporter.
The stretch approved Wednesday includes all federal land crossed by the line, Hammond said. Much of the rest of the route is across private land, for which TC Energy has been acquiring permissions to build on.
Environmentalists and Native American tribes along the pipeline route say burning the tar sands oil will make climate change worse, and that the pipeline could break and spill oil into waterways like Montana’s Missouri River. They have filed numerous lawsuits.
Hammond said Interior officials and other agencies have done a thorough review of the potential effects on the environment. He said TC Energy had provided detailed plans to respond to any spill.
READ MORE: ‘We need to know’ more about Keystone oil pipeline leak, tribal chairman says
“We’re comfortable with the analysis that’s been done,” Hammond said.
Another oil pipeline in TC Energy’s Keystone network in October spilled an estimated 383,000 gallons (1.4 million liters) of oil in eastern North Dakota.
Critics say a damaging spill from Keystone XL is inevitable given the length of the line and the many rivers and other waterways it would cross beneath.
An attorney for environmental groups that have sued to overturn Trump’s permit for the line said they will ask the judge in the case to block the new approval.
“We have every confidence that the federal courts will set aside these approvals,” said Steve Volker, who represents the Indigenous Environmental Network.
Additional approvals from the Army Corps of Engineers are needed for the pipeline’s impact to Montana’s Fort Peck dam. Two utilities must approve power lines that would connect to the project’s pumping stations.
On Montana’s Fort Peck Reservation, where tribal members fear an oil spill getting into water supplies, state Sen. Frank Smith said Trump’s strong support for the project appeared to be pushing it through.
“All we can do is pray from here on in,” Smith said. “The president said it’s going through, and it’s going through.”
The Democratic lawmaker added that despite TC Energy’s pledge to operate safely, “there can still be human error” and another spill would happen.
TC Energy spokeswoman Sara Rabern said in a statement that the government approval marked an “important step as we advance towards building this important energy infrastructure project.”
In Phillips County, Montana, where the line would cross the Canada border into the U.S., officials want the tax revenue on the oil that would pass through, estimated at more than $1 million annually.
“It’s a no-brainer for us as far as how the community feels,” county commissioner John Carnahan said. “We’d go out there and help them if we could. It’s not only good for the county, it’s good for America.”
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Montana initially denied a request from environmentalists to block construction in December because no work was immediately planned. But he also has ruled against the project, including a 2018 decision that stalled the line and prompted Trump to issue a new presidential permit for it to cross the U.S.-Canada border.
In Nebraska, the state Supreme Court removed the last major obstacle for the project in August when it ruled in favor of state regulators who had approved a route for the pipeline in 2017.
TC Energy intends next month to begin mobilizing construction machinery to areas for worker camps and pipeline storage yards in Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska, according to its court filings. It also plans to start toppling trees along the route in parts of South Dakota.
Associated Press reporter Grant Schulte in Lincoln, Nebraska, contributed to this report.


pbs--2020-01-22--WATCH LIVE: Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump | January 23

House Democrats will continue their arguments Thursday in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
The impeachment trial is expected to resume at 1p.m .
ET on Thursday .
Watch live in the video player .
The House managers , seven Democrats who are acting as “ prosecutors ” during the trial , began making their case for Trump ’ s removal from office on Wednesday .
Using documents , text messages and witness testimony gathered during the House impeachment inquiry , Democrats argued that Trump withheld U.S. military aid from Ukraine in an attempt to pressure Ukrainian President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MORE : Your guide to the Trump impeachment trial Under Senate rules , House managers are allowed 24 hours of arguments spread out over three days .
Once the House managers conclude their presentations , Trump ’ s lawyers will be allotted the same amount of time for their defense .
The House of Representatives impeached Trump in December when it approved two articles of impeachment–abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
The Senate must now decide whether to convict or acquit Trump of those charges .
• Read the full articles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be removed ?
Poll shows Americans are divided equally • WATCH : House votes to impeach Trump after hours of debate • ‘ Here ’ s the Deal ’ with impeachment .
Subscribe to our newsletter

House Democrats will continue their arguments Thursday in the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
The impeachment trial is expected to resume at 1p.m. ET on Thursday. Watch live in the video player.
The House managers, seven Democrats who are acting as “prosecutors” during the trial, began making their case for Trump’s removal from office on Wednesday.
Using documents, text messages and witness testimony gathered during the House impeachment inquiry, Democrats argued that Trump withheld U.S. military aid from Ukraine in an attempt to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate the Bidens.
MORE: Your guide to the Trump impeachment trial
Under Senate rules, House managers are allowed 24 hours of arguments spread out over three days. Once the House managers conclude their presentations, Trump’s lawyers will be allotted the same amount of time for their defense.
The House of Representatives impeached Trump in December when it approved two articles of impeachment–abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate must now decide whether to convict or acquit Trump of those charges.
Read more


pbs--2020-01-22--WATCH: Democrats appeal for GOP help to convict 'corrupt' Trump

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — House Democrats opened marathon arguments in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial Wednesday , appealing to skeptical Republican senators to join them in voting to remove Trump from office to “ protect our democracy.
” Trump ’ s lawyers sat by , waiting their turn , as t he president blasted the proceedings from afar , threatening jokingly to face off with the Democrats by coming to “ sit right in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces.
” The challenge before the House managers is clear .
Democrats have 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against Trump , trying to win over not just fidgety senators sitting silently in the chamber but an American public , deeply divided over the president and his impeachment in an election year .
Rep. Adam Schiff , chairman of the House Intelligence Committee , outlined what the Democrats contend was the president ’ s “ corrupt scheme ” to abuse his presidential power and then obstruct Congress ’ investigation .
He then called on senators not to be “ cynical ” about politics , but to draw on the intent of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the remedy of impeachment .
“ Over the coming days , we will present to you—and to the American people—the extensive evidence collected during the House ’ s impeachment inquiry into the president ’ s abuse of power , ” said Schiff standing before the Senate .
“ You will hear their testimony at the same time as the American people .
That is , if you will allow it.
” Most senators sat at their desks throughout , as the rules stipulate , though some stretched their legs , standing behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chamber .
The proceedings are unfolding at the start of an election year , and there are few signs that Republicans are interested in calling more witnesses or going beyond a fast-track assessment that is likely to bring a quick vote on charges related to Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine .
The trial marks just the third time the Senate has weighed whether an American president should be removed from office .
Democrats argue Trump abused his office by asking Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden while withholding crucial military @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe .
Republicans have defended Trump ’ s actions and cast the process as a politically motivated effort to weaken the president in the midst of his reelection campaign .
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows the public is slightly more likely to say the Senate should convict and remove Trump from office than to say it should not , 45 % to 40 % .
But a sizable percentage , 14 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough to have an opinion .
One question there ’ s wide agreement on : Trump should allow top aides to appear as witnesses at the trial .
About 7 in 10 said so , including majorities of Republicans and Democrats , according to the poll .
The idea of more witnesses , though , seems all but settled .
Wrangling over rules for the trial stretched past midnight Tuesday night , with Republicans shooting down one-by-one Democratic efforts to get Trump aides including former national security adviser John Bolton , Secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of staff Mick Mulvaney , to testify .
Senators are likely to repeat those rejections next week , shutting out any chance of new testimony .
One longshot idea to pair one of Trump ’ s preferred witnesses — Biden ’ s son Hunter Biden — with Bolton or another that Democrats want was swiftly rejected .
Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open Wednesday ’ s session as senators settled in for the long days ahead .
Trump , who was in Davos , Switzerland , attending a global economic forum , praised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be open to his advisers testifying , though that seems unlikely .
He said here were “ national security ” concerns that would stand in the way .
After the House prosecutors present their case , the president ’ s lawyers will follow with another 24 hours over three days .
They are expected to take only Sunday off .
“ There ’ s a lot of things I ’ d like to rebut , ” said Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow at the Capitol , “ and we will rebut.
” READ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the impeachment proceedings Then there will be 16 hours for senators , who must sit quietly at their desks , no speeches or cellphones , to ask written question , and another four hours for deliberations .
The impeachment trial is set against the backdrop of the 2020 election .
All four senators who are Democratic presidential candidates are off the campaign trail , seated as jurors .
Campaigning at stops in Iowa , Joe Biden also rejected having his son testify , or even appearing himself .
“ I want no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ahead of opening arguments , senators , particularly Republicans , were alternately restless , bored and exhausted by the proceedings .
GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa spoke sarcastically about how excited she was to hear the “ overwhelming evidence ” the House Democrats have against Trump .
“ And once we ’ ve heard that overwhelming evidence , ” she added , raising her voice mockingly , “ I don ’ t know that we ’ ll need to see additional witnesses , but let ’ s hear about that overwhelming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ setback on Tuesday for Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell , who backed off his plans to limit each side ’ s arguments to two days , as the White House had preferred .
But the GOP leader has been skilled at keeping even the most wayward Republicans , those with some concerns about Trump , united in batting back Democratic requests for witnesses and testimony .
They ultimately approved a rules package that pushes off a final decision on whether or not to seek additional testimony until late in the trial .
Schumer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the impeachment trial “ begins with a cloud hanging over it , a cloud of unfairness.
” Republicans are eager for a swift trial .
Yet Trump ’ s legal team passed on an opportunity to file a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday , an acknowledgement that there were not enough Republican votes to support it .
The White House legal team , in its court filings and presentations , has not disputed Trump ’ s actions .
But the lawyers insist the president did nothing wrong .
Associated Press writers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrew Taylor , Laurie Kellman , Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama in Washington and Bill Barrow in Osage , Iowa , contributed to this report .
• Read the full articles of impeachment against Trump • Should Trump be removed ?
Poll shows Americans are divided equally • WATCH : House votes to impeach Trump after hours of debate • ‘ Here ’ s the Deal ’ with impeachment .
Subscribe to our newsletter

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Democrats opened marathon arguments in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial Wednesday, appealing to skeptical Republican senators to join them in voting to remove Trump from office to “protect our democracy.”
Trump’s lawyers sat by, waiting their turn, as t he president blasted the proceedings from afar, threatening jokingly to face off with the Democrats by coming to “sit right in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces.”
The challenge before the House managers is clear. Democrats have 24 hours over three days to prosecute the charges against Trump, trying to win over not just fidgety senators sitting silently in the chamber but an American public, deeply divided over the president and his impeachment in an election year.
Rep. Adam Schiff, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, outlined what the Democrats contend was the president’s “corrupt scheme” to abuse his presidential power and then obstruct Congress’ investigation. He then called on senators not to be “cynical” about politics, but to draw on the intent of the nation’s Founding Fathers who provided the remedy of impeachment.
“Over the coming days, we will present to you—and to the American people—the extensive evidence collected during the House’s impeachment inquiry into the president’s abuse of power,” said Schiff standing before the Senate. “You will hear their testimony at the same time as the American people. That is, if you will allow it.”
Most senators sat at their desks throughout, as the rules stipulate, though some stretched their legs, standing behind the desks or against the back wall of the chamber.
The proceedings are unfolding at the start of an election year, and there are few signs that Republicans are interested in calling more witnesses or going beyond a fast-track assessment that is likely to bring a quick vote on charges related to Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
We will present to you — and to the American people — the extensive evidence collected during the House’s impeachment inquiry into the president’s abuse of power.
The trial marks just the third time the Senate has weighed whether an American president should be removed from office. Democrats argue Trump abused his office by asking Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden while withholding crucial military aid, and also obstructed Congress by refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe. Republicans have defended Trump’s actions and cast the process as a politically motivated effort to weaken the president in the midst of his reelection campaign.
A new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows the public is slightly more likely to say the Senate should convict and remove Trump from office than to say it should not, 45% to 40%. But a sizable percentage, 14%, say they don’t know enough to have an opinion.
One question there’s wide agreement on: Trump should allow top aides to appear as witnesses at the trial. About 7 in 10 said so, including majorities of Republicans and Democrats, according to the poll.
The idea of more witnesses, though, seems all but settled. Wrangling over rules for the trial stretched past midnight Tuesday night, with Republicans shooting down one-by-one Democratic efforts to get Trump aides including former national security adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, to testify.
Senators are likely to repeat those rejections next week, shutting out any chance of new testimony.
One longshot idea to pair one of Trump’s preferred witnesses — Biden’s son Hunter Biden — with Bolton or another that Democrats want was swiftly rejected.
“That’s off the table,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer told reporters.
Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open Wednesday’s session as senators settled in for the long days ahead.
Trump, who was in Davos, Switzerland, attending a global economic forum, praised his legal team, and suggested he would be open to his advisers testifying, though that seems unlikely. He said here were “national security” concerns that would stand in the way.
After the House prosecutors present their case, the president’s lawyers will follow with another 24 hours over three days. They are expected to take only Sunday off.
“There’s a lot of things I’d like to rebut,” said Trump lawyer Jay Sekulow at the Capitol, “and we will rebut.”
READ MORE: PBS NewsHour’s guide to the impeachment proceedings
Then there will be 16 hours for senators, who must sit quietly at their desks, no speeches or cellphones, to ask written question, and another four hours for deliberations.
The impeachment trial is set against the backdrop of the 2020 election. All four senators who are Democratic presidential candidates are off the campaign trail, seated as jurors.
Campaigning at stops in Iowa, Joe Biden also rejected having his son testify, or even appearing himself. “I want no part of that,” he said.
Ahead of opening arguments, senators, particularly Republicans, were alternately restless, bored and exhausted by the proceedings.
GOP Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa spoke sarcastically about how excited she was to hear the “overwhelming evidence” the House Democrats have against Trump. “And once we’ve heard that overwhelming evidence,” she added, raising her voice mockingly, “I don’t know that we’ll need to see additional witnesses, but let’s hear about that overwhelming evidence.”
The trial began with a setback on Tuesday for Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who backed off his plans to limit each side’s arguments to two days, as the White House had preferred.
But the GOP leader has been skilled at keeping even the most wayward Republicans, those with some concerns about Trump, united in batting back Democratic requests for witnesses and testimony. They ultimately approved a rules package that pushes off a final decision on whether or not to seek additional testimony until late in the trial.
Schumer bemoaned the remaining limitations, saying Wednesday the impeachment trial “begins with a cloud hanging over it, a cloud of unfairness.”
Republicans are eager for a swift trial. Yet Trump’s legal team passed on an opportunity to file a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday, an acknowledgement that there were not enough Republican votes to support it.
The White House legal team, in its court filings and presentations, has not disputed Trump’s actions. But the lawyers insist the president did nothing wrong.
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Alan Fram, Andrew Taylor, Laurie Kellman, Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama in Washington and Bill Barrow in Osage, Iowa, contributed to this report.
Read more


pbs--2020-01-22--After fiery Senate trial rules debate, House managers begin their prosecution

Well , for the first two hours today , Judy , they did seem to be paying very careful attention , with the exception of just a handful of senators .
Most of them were very serious , and you could feel a sense of gravity in the room about the articles of impeachment that was n't there yesterday for much of the process debate .
That was the first two hours .
But , Judy , I think you can tell many of these senators are going on just a few hours of sleep , probably not for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a few hours , you could tell that the attention levels were dissipating , and you could also tell that senators themselves were leaving the chamber in larger numbers .
At different times , our team took various counts , and roughly between a fifth and a fourth of the Senate was absent for much of today , different people , different times .
Many times , they 're going into kind of the antechamber or cloakrooms nearby .
They can do it for sort of a quick personal break , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Notably , Senator Bernie Sanders has been walking on and off the floor quite a lot , Senator Rand Paul as well .
But they 're not the only ones .
And to a point in this , Jason Crow , one of the House managers , was trying to get the attention of the Senate and , at one point , stopped his presentation and said to Senate Leader McConnell , Mr. Leader , let 's take a 15-minute break .
I see members are moving around in the chamber .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ really talking about the fact that they were n't paying as close attention .
McConnell responded he wanted to take a break at a later time .
But it is something notable here on day two .

Lisa Desjardins:
Well, for the first two hours today, Judy, they did seem to be paying very careful attention, with the exception of just a handful of senators. Most of them were very serious, and you could feel a sense of gravity in the room about the articles of impeachment that wasn't there yesterday for much of the process debate.
That was the first two hours. But, Judy, I think you can tell many of these senators are going on just a few hours of sleep, probably not for the only time during this trial. And after a few hours, you could tell that the attention levels were dissipating, and you could also tell that senators themselves were leaving the chamber in larger numbers.
At different times, our team took various counts, and roughly between a fifth and a fourth of the Senate was absent for much of today, different people, different times. Many times, they're going into kind of the antechamber or cloakrooms nearby. They can do it for sort of a quick personal break, but some of these senators are taking longer.
Notably, Senator Bernie Sanders has been walking on and off the floor quite a lot, Senator Rand Paul as well. But they're not the only ones.
And to a point in this, Jason Crow, one of the House managers, was trying to get the attention of the Senate and, at one point, stopped his presentation and said to Senate Leader McConnell, Mr. Leader, let's take a 15-minute break. I see members are moving around in the chamber. Maybe we should take a break, really talking about the fact that they weren't paying as close attention.
McConnell responded he wanted to take a break at a later time. But it is something notable here on day two.


pbs--2020-01-22--WATCH: Women lawmakers make history at Trump impeachment trial

Rep. Zoe Lofgren , D-Calif. , made history on Tuesday when she walked onto the U.S. Senate floor and argued in favor of an amendment to subpoena White House documents in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump .
By taking her place at the podium , Lofgren became the first female House manager to argue during a Senate impeachment trial of a U.S. president .
Lofgren is only the second woman to speak in any role during a presidential impeachment trial .
Cheryl Mills , an attorney who represented President Bill Clinton , spoke during his impeachment trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rep. Sylvia Garcia , D-Texas , became the first Hispanic woman and Rep. Val Demings , D-Fla. , became the second black woman , to speak during a presidential impeachment trial .
( Mills was also the first black woman to speak during a presidential impeachment trial . )
Lofgren , Garcia and Demings are three of seven House members who are acting as prosecutors during the Senate trial .
The team , which also includes Rep. Hakeem Jeffries , a black congressman from New York , is by far the most diverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ men were named as House managers during the impeachment trials of President Andrew Johnson in 1868 and President Bill Clinton in 1999 .
Lofgren was also named an impeachment manager in the 2009 impeachment trial of Samuel Kent , a U.S. district court judge for the Southern District of Texas .
With that one exception , only men have been named House managers in the 19 past federal impeachment cases , which includes the trials of several judges , a U.S. secretary of War and a U.S. senator .
Trump ’ s legal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former attorney general of Florida , and Jane Raskin , a former federal attorney .

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., made history on Tuesday when she walked onto the U.S. Senate floor and argued in favor of an amendment to subpoena White House documents in the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.
By taking her place at the podium, Lofgren became the first female House manager to argue during a Senate impeachment trial of a U.S. president.
Lofgren is only the second woman to speak in any role during a presidential impeachment trial. Cheryl Mills, an attorney who represented President Bill Clinton, spoke during his impeachment trial in 1999.
Later on Tuesday, Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Texas, became the first Hispanic woman and Rep. Val Demings, D-Fla., became the second black woman, to speak during a presidential impeachment trial. (Mills was also the first black woman to speak during a presidential impeachment trial.)
Lofgren, Garcia and Demings are three of seven House members who are acting as prosecutors during the Senate trial.
The team, which also includes Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a black congressman from New York, is by far the most diverse group of House managers.
Only white men were named as House managers during the impeachment trials of President Andrew Johnson in 1868 and President Bill Clinton in 1999.
Lofgren was also named an impeachment manager in the 2009 impeachment trial of Samuel Kent, a U.S. district court judge for the Southern District of Texas. With that one exception, only men have been named House managers in the 19 past federal impeachment cases, which includes the trials of several judges, a U.S. secretary of War and a U.S. senator.
Trump’s legal team includes two women–Pam Bondi, the former attorney general of Florida, and Jane Raskin, a former federal attorney.


pbs--2020-01-22--Former Rep. Bob Barr, Clinton impeachment manager, on 'fatally flawed' case against Trump

And now I am joined by Bob Barr .
He 's a former Republican congressman from Georgia who was a @ @ @ @ @ trial of President Bill Clinton .
Thank you very much for being with us .
@ @ @ @ @ was part of the last impeachment trial we saw in Washington 21 years ago , @ @ @ @ @ presentation the House managers are making this time against President Trump with what you and @ @ @ @ @ 1999 ?

Judy Woodruff:
And now I am joined by Bob Barr. He's a former Republican congressman from Georgia who was a House impeachment manager in the trial of President Bill Clinton.
Congressman Barr joins me from Atlanta.
Thank you very much for being with us.
So, as someone who was part of the last impeachment trial we saw in Washington 21 years ago, how do you compare the presentation the House managers are making this time against President Trump with what you and your team were doing in 1999?


pbs--2020-01-22--Senate and legal experts analyze the prosecution in Trump's impeachment trial

And joining me now here in the studio , our analysts who have been with us for live coverage of @ @ @ @ @ .
They are Marty Paone .
He was the Democratic Senate secretary for 13 years @ @ @ @ @ 's impeachment trial .
Elizabeth Chryst , she was the Republican Senate secretary during that @ @ @ @ @ was special counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the early '90s .
And John @ @ @ @ @ Congressman Tom Coburn , Republican of Oklahoma , also during the Clinton impeachment .
Hello @ @ @ @ @ .
And I want to pick up on something that we just heard , Marty @ @ @ @ @ from former Congressman Barr .
And that is that , while he may disagree with @ @ @ @ @ are making , he thinks they are being effective in the way they are framing @ @ @ @ @ you see that ?

Judy Woodruff:
And joining me now here in the studio, our analysts who have been with us for live coverage of this Senate trial all day.
They are Marty Paone. He was the Democratic Senate secretary for 13 years, including during President Clinton's impeachment trial. Elizabeth Chryst, she was the Republican Senate secretary during that Clinton trial. Victoria Nourse was special counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee in the early '90s. And John Hart, he worked for Congressman Tom Coburn, Republican of Oklahoma, also during the Clinton impeachment.
Hello again to all of you.
And I want to pick up on something that we just heard, Marty Paone, we just heard from former Congressman Barr.
And that is that, while he may disagree with the argument that the managers are making, he thinks they are being effective in the way they are framing the case. How do you see that?


pbs--2020-01-22--WATCH: Rep. Schiff's full opening arguments in the Trump impeachment trial

Rep. Adam Schiff , the lead House manager in President Donald Trump ’ s Senate impeachment trial , made the case on Wednesday that the president should be convicted of two articles of impeachment–abuse of power and obstruction of Congress–and removed from office .
House Democrats who are acting as prosecutors in the trial , argue that Trump withheld U.S. military aid in an attempt to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and that Trump improperly blocked Congress ’ efforts to investigate his misconduct .
“ Efforts to withhold official acts for personal gain countermand the president ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it was conceived of by the founders , ” Schiff said in a nearly two-and-a-half hour long speech on the Senate floor .
During his opening remarks , the California Democrat laid out the evidence , based on documents and witness testimony gathered by the U.S House of Representatives during its impeachment inquiry .
READ MORE : Your guide to the impeachment trial He invoked the framers of the Constitution on multiple occasions , saying they allowed for impeachment for serious offenses that included a president using his political power for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a president would subvert our democracy by abusing the awesome power of his office for his own personal or political gain , ” Schiff said .
“ Guarding against a president who undertakes official acts with the corrupt motive of helping himself is at the heart of the impeachment power.
” Schiff ’ s statements kicked off the House managers ’ arguments in the trial , which will be presented in 24 hours , over the course of three days .
Trump ’ s legal team will then have the same amount of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House has maintained that the president did nothing improper .
Trump lawyers have accused Democrats of pushing a “ made-up narrative ” in an attempt to remove him from office during a presidential election year .
Senators on Tuesday approved the rules for the impeachment trial , voting against Democrats ’ efforts to call witnesses before the two sides laid out their case for , and against , the president .
In his remarks , Schiff urged senators to subpoena new witnesses , including former National Security Adviser John Bolton , later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Representatives impeached the president in December .
The Senate trial will determine whether Trump is convicted of those charges and removed from office , or acquitted .
• Read the full articles of impeachment against Trump • Should Trump be removed ?
Poll shows Americans are divided equally • WATCH : House votes to impeach Trump after hours of debate • ‘ Here ’ s the Deal ’ with impeachment .
Subscribe to our newsletter

Rep. Adam Schiff, the lead House manager in President Donald Trump’s Senate impeachment trial, made the case on Wednesday that the president should be convicted of two articles of impeachment–abuse of power and obstruction of Congress–and removed from office.
House Democrats who are acting as prosecutors in the trial, argue that Trump withheld U.S. military aid in an attempt to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals and that Trump improperly blocked Congress’ efforts to investigate his misconduct.
“Efforts to withhold official acts for personal gain countermand the president’s sacred oath and therefore constitute impeachable behavior as it was conceived of by the founders,” Schiff said in a nearly two-and-a-half hour long speech on the Senate floor.
During his opening remarks, the California Democrat laid out the evidence, based on documents and witness testimony gathered by the U.S House of Representatives during its impeachment inquiry.
READ MORE: Your guide to the impeachment trial
He invoked the framers of the Constitution on multiple occasions, saying they allowed for impeachment for serious offenses that included a president using his political power for his own gain.
“They feared that a president would subvert our democracy by abusing the awesome power of his office for his own personal or political gain,” Schiff said. “Guarding against a president who undertakes official acts with the corrupt motive of helping himself is at the heart of the impeachment power.”
Schiff’s statements kicked off the House managers’ arguments in the trial, which will be presented in 24 hours, over the course of three days. Trump’s legal team will then have the same amount of time to mount its defense.
The White House has maintained that the president did nothing improper. Trump lawyers have accused Democrats of pushing a “made-up narrative” in an attempt to remove him from office during a presidential election year.
Senators on Tuesday approved the rules for the impeachment trial, voting against Democrats’ efforts to call witnesses before the two sides laid out their case for, and against, the president. In his remarks, Schiff urged senators to subpoena new witnesses, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton, later in the trial.
The House of Representatives impeached the president in December. The Senate trial will determine whether Trump is convicted of those charges and removed from office, or acquitted.
Read more


pbs--2020-01-22--WATCH: Sen. Schumer says Tuesday was a 'dark day' for the Senate

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the the first full day of the Senate impeachment trial into President Donald Trump represented “ a dark day and a dark night for the Senate.
” After nearly 13 hours of rancorous debate over Democratic amendments , the rules for the trial were adopted unchanged in a party-line vote early Wednesday .
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol , Schumer said the trial into Trump ’ s actions began with a “ cloud of unfairness ” hanging over it .
Over and over during a 13-hour day Tuesday , Republicans turned back Democratic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ House , State Department , Defense Department and budget office .
By the same 53-47 party-line , they turned away witnesses with front-row seats to Trump ’ s actions including acting White House chief of staff Mulvaney and Bolton , the former national security adviser critical of the Ukraine policy .
MORE : Your guide to the Trump impeachment trial Though Republicans are resistant to the idea of additional witnesses , Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said there could be votes on the subject late in the trial .
Schumer urged his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more fair.
” “ It ’ s not a quesion of ability , they can , if they want .
It ’ s a question of conscience , ” he said .
At issue is whether Trump should be removed from office for abuse of power stemming from his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and Biden ’ s son Hunter as Trump was withholding aid to the country , and for obstructing Congress ’ ensuing probe .

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the the first full day of the Senate impeachment trial into President Donald Trump represented “a dark day and a dark night for the Senate.”
After nearly 13 hours of rancorous debate over Democratic amendments, the rules for the trial were adopted unchanged in a party-line vote early Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters at the Capitol, Schumer said the trial into Trump’s actions began with a “cloud of unfairness” hanging over it.
Over and over during a 13-hour day Tuesday, Republicans turned back Democratic amendments to subpoena documents from the White House, State Department, Defense Department and budget office.
By the same 53-47 party-line, they turned away witnesses with front-row seats to Trump’s actions including acting White House chief of staff Mulvaney and Bolton, the former national security adviser critical of the Ukraine policy.
MORE: Your guide to the Trump impeachment trial
Though Republicans are resistant to the idea of additional witnesses, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has said there could be votes on the subject late in the trial.
Schumer urged his Republican collegues to “make this trial more fair.” “It’s not a quesion of ability, they can, if they want. It’s a question of conscience,” he said.
At issue is whether Trump should be removed from office for abuse of power stemming from his pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden and Biden’s son Hunter as Trump was withholding aid to the country, and for obstructing Congress’ ensuing probe.


pbs--2020-01-22--Impeachment trial keeps 4 candidates off the campaign trail

WASHINGTON — The four Democratic senators seeking the White House want to be out there campaigning , but they ’ re pulled off the presidential campaign trail and into the Senate to serve as jurors in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial .
That means forgoing raucous events and adoring crowds for hours of passively listening to a procedure designed to be solemn and rule-bound .
The presidential hopefuls can ’ t freely ask questions or even talk to their colleagues or use their cellphones .
It amounts to a political muzzle for Sens .
Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klobuchar of Minnesota and Michael Bennet of Colorado — all of whom want as much attention as they can get right now .
“ I am used to going practically 24/7 , town hall after town hall answering questions , and all of a sudden you ’ re in like a digital detox , ” Klobuchar said in an interview Wednesday .
Bennet said he ’ ll campaign whenever possible on Sundays , when the Senate isn ’ t in session .
Otherwise , he ’ s trying to take the interruption in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sense worrying about it , ” he said by phone .
“ It ’ s out of my hands.
” The timing couldn ’ t be worse .
The trial may run six days a week and last through the Iowa caucuses , which kick off the Democratic contest on Feb 3 .
That means the four senators in the race likely won ’ t get the chance to deliver critical , final arguments to voters who could set the tone for the rest of the race .
“ This is where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to get the best price on that new car and suddenly you ’ re not there to close the deal , ” said Alice Stewart , a Republican strategist who worked on Sen. Ted Cruz ’ s presidential campaign in 2016 and Mike Huckabee ’ s 2008 bid , when each won Iowa .
Democratic pollster John Zogby said Sanders , Warren and Klobochar have perhaps the most to lose because they “ are the three that seem to have the most momentum.
” “ Presence is preeminent , ” Zogby said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be there to press the flesh.
” Making matters worse , the Senate trial will be long and complicated enough that it doesn ’ t give the candidates many opportunities to present themselves hard at work on behalf of voters .
During the closing stretch of the 2008 general election , Barack Obama and John McCain returned to Washington to vote on measures responding to the economic collapse .
More recently , the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh offered high-profile opportunities for candidates including Klobuchar to take on the Trump administration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can only submit questions in writing .
It ’ s up to Chief Justice John Roberts , who is presiding over the trial , to read them .
The contrast between hustling for homestretch support in snowy Iowa and the plodding impeachment trial was on full display this week .
Sanders sat through the proceedings nearly totally motionless , listening with one hand balled into a fist pushed against his lips and the other on his hip .
He often had little more than a legal pad on his desk .
When White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of the president , quipped Tuesday , “ Some of you are upset because you should be in Iowa right now , ” Sanders offered a small , brief grin .
Warren held both a blue pen and a yellow pencil , alternating between the two to take notes .
She sometimes held the pen , or just its cap , in her teeth .
Publicly , the senators say they are proud to participate in historic proceedings , as their day jobs demand .
But privately , their advisers acknowledge that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ logistically have gotten exponentially more so .
Before returning to Washington , Sanders said he ’ d rather be campaigning and implored supporters to “ carry the ball ” in his absence .
Warren suggested she ’ d be nostalgic for Iowa while stuck in Washington , saying , “ I truly love this part of the campaign , and I hope I ’ ll be able to come back more.
” Both Warren and Sanders have spoken about attending the trial by day and rushing to Iowa to campaign by night — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ jets .
But Sanders canceled a Wednesday evening rally he ’ d planned at the University of Northern Iowa , given the trial ’ s long and still uncertain upcoming schedule .
READ MORE : Should Trump be removed ?
Poll shows Americans are divided equally In the meantime , Sanders has stepped up his online presence , holding internet discussions with supporters , a model Warren will also use starting this week .
High-profile supporters can also take candidates ’ place , including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and ice cream icons Ben Cohen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ & Jerry ’ s ” fame , and actress Ashley Judd and former presidential hopeful Julián Castro for Warren .
Klobuchar has her husband and daughter campaigning in her place , and she purchased studio time to do hits with TV stations in Iowa and beyond .
It could all be a boon to former Vice President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg , the former mayor of South Bend , Indiana , who aren ’ t part of the trial .
But their aides said they ’ re not operating with an assumption @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prospects of their rivals .
“ They aren ’ t going to be pulling down their ads or pulling their organizers off during the trial , ” said Anita Dunn , a Biden senior strategist .
“ There ’ s no reason why everyone doesn ’ t continue their campaigns , and they will.
” Still , Iowa does feels eerily suspended in time .
There are no frantic days of multi-candidate , multi-city stops .
Biden and Buttigieg wrapped up brief bus tours on Wednesday , leaving businessman Andrew Yang with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Keri Quattlebaum , a 48-year-old office manager for a nonprofit in the Iowa capital of Des Moines , said she ’ s still deciding among Sanders , Warren and Biden .
But she said it ’ s not a deal breaker that she won ’ t see them in person .
“ I think people in Iowa are savvy enough to follow impeachment , ” Quattlebaum said .
Associated Press writers Steve Peoples and Alexandra Jaffe contributed to this report from Des Moines , Iowa .

WASHINGTON — The four Democratic senators seeking the White House want to be out there campaigning, but they’re pulled off the presidential campaign trail and into the Senate to serve as jurors in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial.
That means forgoing raucous events and adoring crowds for hours of passively listening to a procedure designed to be solemn and rule-bound. The presidential hopefuls can’t freely ask questions or even talk to their colleagues or use their cellphones. It amounts to a political muzzle for Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Michael Bennet of Colorado — all of whom want as much attention as they can get right now.
“I am used to going practically 24/7, town hall after town hall answering questions, and all of a sudden you’re in like a digital detox,” Klobuchar said in an interview Wednesday.
Bennet said he’ll campaign whenever possible on Sundays, when the Senate isn’t in session. Otherwise, he’s trying to take the interruption in stride.
“There’s no sense worrying about it,” he said by phone. “It’s out of my hands.”
The timing couldn’t be worse. The trial may run six days a week and last through the Iowa caucuses, which kick off the Democratic contest on Feb 3. That means the four senators in the race likely won’t get the chance to deliver critical, final arguments to voters who could set the tone for the rest of the race.
“This is where you are in the manager’s office trying to get the best price on that new car and suddenly you’re not there to close the deal,” said Alice Stewart, a Republican strategist who worked on Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign in 2016 and Mike Huckabee’s 2008 bid, when each won Iowa.
Democratic pollster John Zogby said Sanders, Warren and Klobochar have perhaps the most to lose because they “are the three that seem to have the most momentum.”
“Presence is preeminent,” Zogby said. “You’ve got to be there to press the flesh.”
Making matters worse, the Senate trial will be long and complicated enough that it doesn’t give the candidates many opportunities to present themselves hard at work on behalf of voters. During the closing stretch of the 2008 general election, Barack Obama and John McCain returned to Washington to vote on measures responding to the economic collapse. More recently, the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh offered high-profile opportunities for candidates including Klobuchar to take on the Trump administration.
But for the trial, senators can only submit questions in writing. It’s up to Chief Justice John Roberts, who is presiding over the trial, to read them.
WATCH LIVE: Trump’s impeachment trial in the Senate
The contrast between hustling for homestretch support in snowy Iowa and the plodding impeachment trial was on full display this week.
Sanders sat through the proceedings nearly totally motionless, listening with one hand balled into a fist pushed against his lips and the other on his hip. He often had little more than a legal pad on his desk. When White House counsel Pat Cipollone , arguing in support of the president, quipped Tuesday, “Some of you are upset because you should be in Iowa right now,” Sanders offered a small, brief grin.
Warren held both a blue pen and a yellow pencil, alternating between the two to take notes. She sometimes held the pen, or just its cap, in her teeth.
Publicly, the senators say they are proud to participate in historic proceedings, as their day jobs demand. But privately, their advisers acknowledge that campaigns that were already difficult to manage logistically have gotten exponentially more so.
Before returning to Washington, Sanders said he’d rather be campaigning and implored supporters to “carry the ball” in his absence. Warren suggested she’d be nostalgic for Iowa while stuck in Washington, saying, “I truly love this part of the campaign, and I hope I’ll be able to come back more.”
Both Warren and Sanders have spoken about attending the trial by day and rushing to Iowa to campaign by night — something that might be possible using private jets. But Sanders canceled a Wednesday evening rally he’d planned at the University of Northern Iowa, given the trial’s long and still uncertain upcoming schedule.
READ MORE: Should Trump be removed? Poll shows Americans are divided equally
In the meantime, Sanders has stepped up his online presence, holding internet discussions with supporters, a model Warren will also use starting this week. High-profile supporters can also take candidates’ place, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and ice cream icons Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield, of “Ben & Jerry’s” fame, and actress Ashley Judd and former presidential hopeful Julián Castro for Warren.
Klobuchar has her husband and daughter campaigning in her place, and she purchased studio time to do hits with TV stations in Iowa and beyond.
It could all be a boon to former Vice President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, who aren’t part of the trial. But their aides said they’re not operating with an assumption that the trial will hurt the political prospects of their rivals.
“They aren’t going to be pulling down their ads or pulling their organizers off during the trial,” said Anita Dunn, a Biden senior strategist. “There’s no reason why everyone doesn’t continue their campaigns, and they will.”
Still, Iowa does feels eerily suspended in time. There are no frantic days of multi-candidate, multi-city stops. Biden and Buttigieg wrapped up brief bus tours on Wednesday, leaving businessman Andrew Yang with the state to himself on Thursday and Friday.
Keri Quattlebaum, a 48-year-old office manager for a nonprofit in the Iowa capital of Des Moines, said she’s still deciding among Sanders, Warren and Biden. But she said it’s not a deal breaker that she won’t see them in person.
“I think people in Iowa are savvy enough to follow impeachment,” Quattlebaum said.
Associated Press writers Steve Peoples and Alexandra Jaffe contributed to this report from Des Moines, Iowa.


pbs--2020-01-22--WATCH: Sen. Graham says impeachment 'won't matter much' by election day

Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized the House managers and Senate Democrats ahead of their opening arguments in the impeachment trial on @ @ @ @ @ during the Mueller investigation , he worked with his Democratic colleagues to make sure President @ @ @ @ @ Counsel Robert Mueller .
“ Now , the same people that patted me on the @ @ @ @ @ railroad the guy , to legitimize the process in the House that will destroy the @ @ @ @ @ will not be part of that , ” said Graham .
Graham also said that @ @ @ @ @ , “ I wouldn ’ t cooperate at all with these people , ” referring @ @ @ @ @ MORE : Your guide to the Trump impeachment trial Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff of California @ @ @ @ @ Intelligence Committee , is leading the prosecution team .
The House prosecutors will have 24 @ @ @ @ @ days to present their case .
The president ’ s lawyers will follow with another @ @ @ @ @ to mount a defense .
They are expected to take only Sunday off .

Sen. Lindsey Graham criticized the House managers and Senate Democrats ahead of their opening arguments in the impeachment trial on Wednesday.
Graham said that during the Mueller investigation, he worked with his Democratic colleagues to make sure President Donald Trump cooperated with Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
“Now, the same people that patted me on the back are asking me to railroad the guy, to legitimize the process in the House that will destroy the presidency over time. I will not be part of that,” said Graham.
Graham also said that if he was the president, “I wouldn’t cooperate at all with these people,” referring to the House managers.
MORE: Your guide to the Trump impeachment trial
Democrat Rep. Adam Schiff of California, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, is leading the prosecution team. The House prosecutors will have 24 hours over the next three days to present their case. The president’s lawyers will follow with another 24 hours over three days to mount a defense. They are expected to take only Sunday off.


pbs--2020-01-22--Democrats argue for Trump's removal from office as impeachment trial opens

WASHINGTON ( AP ) — The U.S. Senate began hearing opening arguments Wednesday in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment trial with proceedings now on a fast track .
First up : Democratic House managers making their case that Trump abused his presidential power and should be removed from office .
After late-night deliberations over the rules almost ensured no new witnesses will be heard , the trial picked up speed .
There were few signs of Republican resistance to quickly assessing , and voting , on charges related to Trump ’ s dealings with Ukraine .
Senators rejected all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including top Trump aides — and are likely to do so again next week , shutting out any chance of new testimony .
Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open the session as senators settled in for a several long days of proceedings .
Trump , who was in Davos , Switzerland , attending a global economic forum , suggested he would be open to his advisers testifying , then quickly backtracked , saying there were “ national security ” concerns that would stand in the way .
“ I ’ ll leave that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the question of witnesses .
The trial marks just the third time the Senate has weighed whether an American president should be removed from office .
Democrats argue Trump abused his office by asking Ukraine to investigate political rivals while withholding crucial military aid , and also obstructed Congress by refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe .
Republicans have defended Trump ’ s actions and cast the process as a politically motivated effort to weaken the president in the midst of his reelection campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and leader of the prosecution team , launched into opening arguments referring to Alexander Hamilton and the country ’ s other Founding Fathers who wrote impeachment into the Constitution .
“ We are here today in this hallowed chamber , undertaking this solemn action for only the third time in history because Donald J. Trump , the 45th president of the United States , has acted precisely as Hamilton and his contemporaries feared , ” Schiff said .
MORE : Your guide to the Trump impeachment trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the next three days to present their case .
The president ’ s lawyers will follow with another 24 hours over three days to mount a defense .
They are expected to take only Sunday off .
After that , there will be 16 hours for senators , who must sit quietly at their desks , no speeches or cellphones , to ask written question , and another four hours for deliberations .
By the end of next week there is expected to be one last vote on whether or not they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and it appears increasingly likely that will be the end .
The trial opened Tuesday and wrangling over the rules stretched late into the night , with Republicans shooting down one-by-one Democratic efforts to get Trump aides including former national security adviser John Bolton , Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney , to testify as witnesses .
The trial began with a setback for Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell , who backed off his plans to limit each side ’ s arguments to two days .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ back Democratic requests for witnesses and ultimately approved a rules package that pushes off a final decision on whether or not to seek additional testimony until later in the trial .
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer bemoaned the limitations , saying the impeachment trial “ begins with a cloud hanging over it , a cloud of unfairness.
” Republicans were eager for a swift trial .
Yet Trump ’ s legal team passed on an opportunity to file a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday , an acknowledgement that there were not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Procedural wrangling and political posturing dominated the trial ’ s opening .
“ It ’ s not our job to make it easy for you , ” Schiff told the Senate .
“ Our job is to make it hard to deprive the American people of a fair trial.
” White House counsel Pat Cipollone , the president ’ s lead lawyer , called the trial “ a farce.
” He scoffed that the House charges against Trump were “ ridiculous.
” The White House legal team did not dispute Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked for a “ favor , ” which was to investigate Biden as he withheld military aid the ally desperately needed as it faced off with hostile Russia on its border .
But the lawyers insisted the president did nothing wrong .
In Davos , Trump repeated his attacks on Democratic House managers serving as prosecutors in the trial , saying that he ’ d like to “ sit right in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces ” on the Senate floor during the trial but that his attorneys might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said he wants to deliver the State of the Union as scheduled on Feb. 4 even if the trial is ongoing , calling the address “ very important to what I am doing ” in setting his administration ’ s agenda .
The impeachment trial is set against the backdrop of the 2020 election .
All four senators who are Democratic presidential candidates were off the campaign trail , seated as jurors .
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick , Alan Fram , Andrew Taylor , Laurie Kellman , Matthew Daly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Read the full articles of impeachment against Trump • Should Trump be removed ?
Poll shows Americans are divided equally • WATCH : House votes to impeach Trump after hours of debate • ‘ Here ’ s the Deal ’ with impeachment .
Subscribe to our newsletter

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Senate began hearing opening arguments Wednesday in President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial with proceedings now on a fast track. First up: Democratic House managers making their case that Trump abused his presidential power and should be removed from office.
After late-night deliberations over the rules almost ensured no new witnesses will be heard, the trial picked up speed. There were few signs of Republican resistance to quickly assessing, and voting, on charges related to Trump’s dealings with Ukraine.
Senators rejected all attempts to bring in new witnesses — including top Trump aides — and are likely to do so again next week, shutting out any chance of new testimony.
Chief Justice John Roberts gaveled open the session as senators settled in for a several long days of proceedings.
Trump, who was in Davos, Switzerland, attending a global economic forum, suggested he would be open to his advisers testifying, then quickly backtracked, saying there were “national security” concerns that would stand in the way.
“I’ll leave that to the Senate,” Trump said on the question of witnesses.
The trial marks just the third time the Senate has weighed whether an American president should be removed from office. Democrats argue Trump abused his office by asking Ukraine to investigate political rivals while withholding crucial military aid, and also obstructed Congress by refusing to turn over documents or allow officials to testify in the House probe. Republicans have defended Trump’s actions and cast the process as a politically motivated effort to weaken the president in the midst of his reelection campaign.
Rep. Adam Schiff of California, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and leader of the prosecution team, launched into opening arguments referring to Alexander Hamilton and the country’s other Founding Fathers who wrote impeachment into the Constitution.
“We are here today in this hallowed chamber, undertaking this solemn action for only the third time in history because Donald J. Trump, the 45th president of the United States, has acted precisely as Hamilton and his contemporaries feared,” Schiff said.
MORE: Your guide to the Trump impeachment trial
The House prosecutors will have 24 hours over the next three days to present their case. The president’s lawyers will follow with another 24 hours over three days to mount a defense. They are expected to take only Sunday off.
After that, there will be 16 hours for senators, who must sit quietly at their desks, no speeches or cellphones, to ask written question, and another four hours for deliberations.
By the end of next week there is expected to be one last vote on whether or not they want to hear from more witnesses, and it appears increasingly likely that will be the end.
The trial opened Tuesday and wrangling over the rules stretched late into the night, with Republicans shooting down one-by-one Democratic efforts to get Trump aides including former national security adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney, to testify as witnesses.
The trial began with a setback for Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell, who backed off his plans to limit each side’s arguments to two days. But the GOP remained united in batting back Democratic requests for witnesses and ultimately approved a rules package that pushes off a final decision on whether or not to seek additional testimony until later in the trial.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer bemoaned the limitations, saying the impeachment trial “begins with a cloud hanging over it, a cloud of unfairness.”
Republicans were eager for a swift trial. Yet Trump’s legal team passed on an opportunity to file a motion to dismiss the case on Wednesday, an acknowledgement that there were not enough Republican votes to support it.
Procedural wrangling and political posturing dominated the trial’s opening.
“It’s not our job to make it easy for you,” Schiff told the Senate. “Our job is to make it hard to deprive the American people of a fair trial.”
White House counsel Pat Cipollone, the president’s lead lawyer, called the trial “a farce.” He scoffed that the House charges against Trump were “ridiculous.”
The White House legal team did not dispute Trump’s actions, when he called Ukraine and asked for a “favor,” which was to investigate Biden as he withheld military aid the ally desperately needed as it faced off with hostile Russia on its border. But the lawyers insisted the president did nothing wrong.
“Absolutely no case,” Cipollone said.
In Davos, Trump repeated his attacks on Democratic House managers serving as prosecutors in the trial, saying that he’d like to “sit right in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces” on the Senate floor during the trial but that his attorneys might have a problem with it.
And he said he wants to deliver the State of the Union as scheduled on Feb. 4 even if the trial is ongoing, calling the address “very important to what I am doing” in setting his administration’s agenda.
The impeachment trial is set against the backdrop of the 2020 election. All four senators who are Democratic presidential candidates were off the campaign trail, seated as jurors.
Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Alan Fram, Andrew Taylor, Laurie Kellman, Matthew Daly and Padmananda Rama contributed to this report.
Read more


pbs--2020-01-22--WATCH: 'Every generation has to fight' for democracy and freedom, Schiff says

Rep. Adam Schiff , D-Calif. , said Wednesday that Americans must work to protect their democracy and freedom , and the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is part of that effort .
“ There ’ s no guarantee that next year people will live in more freedom than today , and the prospect for our children is even more in doubt , ” Schiff , the lead House manager in the trial , said during his opening arguments on the Senate floor .
He said freedom is not an “ immutable law of nature ” and instead “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” “ We ’ re fighting for it right now , ” Schiff added .
The seven House managers , Democrats who are acting as prosecutors in the trial , began their arguments on Wednesday and will continue to present their case over three days .
Trump ’ s lawyers will then present their defense .
The House of Representatives impeached the president in December on two articles — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress .
Democrats argue Trump abused his official powers when he withheld U.S. military aid for Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to investigate his political rivals .
They further claim Trump improperly blocked Congress from investigating his conduct .
During the trial phase , U.S. senators will determine whether Trump is convicted of those charges and removed from office , or acquitted .
Trump is the third president to be impeached .
No president has been removed from office .
• Read the full articles of impeachment against Trump • Should Trump be removed ?
Poll shows Americans are divided equally • WATCH : House votes to impeach Trump after hours of debate • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with impeachment .
Subscribe to our newsletter

Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said Wednesday that Americans must work to protect their democracy and freedom, and the Senate impeachment trial of President Donald Trump is part of that effort.
“There’s no guarantee that next year people will live in more freedom than today, and the prospect for our children is even more in doubt,” Schiff, the lead House manager in the trial, said during his opening arguments on the Senate floor.
He said freedom is not an “immutable law of nature” and instead “every generation has to fight for it.”
“We’re fighting for it right now,” Schiff added.
The seven House managers, Democrats who are acting as prosecutors in the trial, began their arguments on Wednesday and will continue to present their case over three days. Trump’s lawyers will then present their defense.
The House of Representatives impeached the president in December on two articles — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Democrats argue Trump abused his official powers when he withheld U.S. military aid for Ukraine, allegedly in an attempt to pressure Ukraine to investigate his political rivals. They further claim Trump improperly blocked Congress from investigating his conduct.
During the trial phase, U.S. senators will determine whether Trump is convicted of those charges and removed from office, or acquitted.
Trump is the third president to be impeached. No president has been removed from office.
Read more