In news most had already foreseen, the US House of Representatives has voted on two charges –that the President had abused his power as a result of his alleged attempt to pressure Ukraine to announce investigations into his Democratic political rival, Joe Biden; and that he had obstructed Congress, for refusing to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry which began in September.
Most of the Democrats voted for the charges, while no Republicans did, but the votes – at 230-197 and 229-198 respectively – meant that Mr Trump joins Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton as the only US President to be charged with misconduct.
He now faces a trial in the US Senate – but this has already run into a hitch.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has now indicated she might delay sending the articles of impeachment to the Senate, in order to bargain on the terms of the proceedings – which could put off the trial.
This move earned criticism from the President on Twitter:
“Pelosi feels her phony impeachment HOAX is so pathetic she is afraid to present it to the Senate, which can set a date and put this whole SCAM into default if they refuse to show up! The Do Nothings are so bad for our Country!” he tweeted (pictured inset is another post by the President).
If the trial makes it to the Senate, it faces another challenge – it is controlled by Mr Trump’s Republican party, making it unlikely he would be booted out of the White House.
So, don’t write off the President just yet.
