Democrats on Friday said President Donald Trump sold out our national security interests when he withheld military aid from Ukraine for his own personal political benefit, pushing the Ukrainian president to investigate Joe Biden and a debunked conspiracy theory tying Ukraine to the 2016 Democratic server hack. Trump had even promoted the theory at a U.S.-Russia summit, when intelligence officials say, in fact, it was Russia behind the disinformation.
 

 

"He's promoting this kooky, crazy server theory cooked up by the Kremlin. Right next to the guy that cooked it up. It's a breathtaking success of Russian intelligence," said Rep. Adam Schiff, an impeachment manager and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. "Whatever profile Russia did of our president, boy, did they have him spot-on?"

But Democrats say not only did Trump abuse his power, he also committed the impeachable offense of obstructing Congress.

"The cover-up was in full swing," Impeachment Manager New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said.

Democrats described how the White House tried to suppress a whistleblower complaint, concealed the record of Trump's call with Ukrainian President Zelensky on a highly classified server, intimidated witnesses like Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, and stonewalled House investigators, completely denying access to any White House officials or records.

"Never in my time as a lawyer or as a judge have I seen this kind of total disrespect and defiance of a lawfully issued subpoena," Rep. Sylvia Garcia said.

After three long days of Democrats' opening arguments, Trump's legal team gets its turn beginning Saturday, and is also allowed a combined 24 hours of opening arguments.

Then, a pivotal vote likely comes next week on whether to allow new witnesses.

Democrats say removal from office is critical to prevent Trump from again inviting foreign interference in this year's election.

"Every piece of evidence supports that terrible conclusion: that the president of the United States will abuse his power again," Schiff said.

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FURTHER IMPEACHMENT COVERAGE

Impeachment Managers Make Case for Convicting Trump for Abuse of Power

Democrats Appeal for GOP to Help Convict Trump in Day 2 of Senate Impeachment Trial

Sen. Gillibrand Speaks On the Impeachment Process inside the Senate Chamber