US Senate rejects Democratic bid for documents in Trump impeachment trial

WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled US Senate rejected a Democratic bid on Tuesday to force the White House to produce documents and evidence in President Donald Trump's impeachment trial, an early sign the trial could proceed along lines favourable to Mr Trump.

Mr Trump, who was impeached last month by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on charges of abusing power and obstructing Congress, denies any wrongdoing and describes his impeachment as a partisan hoax to derail his 2020 re-election. "The only conclusion will be that the president has done absolutely nothing wrong," Mr Cipollone said as he argued in favour of Mr McConnell's proposal to decide on whether to allow further witnesses or documents later in the trial.Democratic Representative Adam Schiff, who helped spearhead the House impeachment inquiry, summarised the charges against Mr Trump and said the president had committed"constitutional misconduct justifying impeachment.

Mr McConnell unveiled a plan on Monday for what would be a potentially quick trial without new testimony or evidence. It would have given Democratic prosecutors and Mr Trump's lawyers 48 hours, evenly split, to present their arguments over four days. Mr McConnell has repeatedly said the rules would mirror those the Senate used in the 1999 impeachment of then-President Bill Clinton, a Democrat. Republican senators have not ruled out the possibility of further witness testimony and evidence.

Mr Trump and his legal team say there was no pressure and that the Democrats' case is based on hearsay. Mr Cipollone has described the Ukraine investigation as an illegal attempt to remove a democratically elected president and avert his re-election. Mr Trump has sought to rally his base with the impeachment issue, fundraising off it. At raucous election rallies, he has painted himself as the victim of a witch hunt.

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