President Donald Trump has penned a furious letter to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denouncing a “vicious crusade” against him.
The Democrats are amassing the votes they need to impeach the President, as the Republicans look ahead, vowing to defend Mr Trump at next month’s Senate trial.
Mr Trump, who would be just the third US president to be impeached, acknowledged he was powerless to stop the vote on Wednesday (local time).
He appeared to intend his lengthy accusatory message less for Ms Pelosi than the broad audience of citizens – including 2020 voters – watching history unfolding on Capitol Hill.
He accused the Democrats of acting out of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” still smarting from the 2016 election loss.
“You are the ones bringing pain and suffering to our Republic for your own selfish, personal political and partisan gain.”
Portraying himself as blameless, Mr Trump compared the inquiry to the Salem Witch Trials, accusing Democrats of a “perversion of justice and abuse of power”.
Asked if he bore any responsibility for the proceedings, he said, “No, I don’t think any. Zero, to put it mildly.”
Ms Pelosi, who warned earlier this year against pursuing a strictly partisan impeachment, nonetheless has the numbers.
“Very sadly, the facts have made clear the President abused his power for his own personal, political benefit and he obstructed Congress,” she wrote to colleagues. “In America, no one is above the law.
“During this very prayerful moment in our nation’s history, we must honour our oath to support and defend our constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
No Republicans have indicated they will support the the two articles of impeachment, for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, setting up a close-to-party-line vote.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell set the partisan tone for the next step, as attention will shift to the Senate which, under the constitution, is required to hold a trial on the charges.
It is expected to begin in January.
“I’m not an impartial juror,” Mr McConnell declared. The Republican-majority chamber is all but sure to acquit the president.
Democrat “leadership,” despite their denials, are putting tremendous pressure on their members to vote yes on this ridiculous Impeachment. If they vote yes, it will be much easier for Republicans to win in 2020!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 17, 2019
Mr Trump is accused in a July of asking the newly elected president of Ukraine, an ally facing an aggressive Russia at its border, to “do us a favour” by investigating Democrats including potential 2020 rival Joe Biden.
At the time, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was hoping for a coveted White House meeting and nearly $US400 million ($A584 million) in military aid Congress had approved to counter Russia.
The White House put the money on hold as leverage, the Democrats say.
In his letter on Tuesday, Mr Trump defended his “absolutely perfect” phone call that sparked the impeachment inquiry.
He also tried to justify anew the Ukrainian investigations he wanted into Biden. And he disputed the charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress’ investigation.
-AAP
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