Trump decries ‘vicious crusade’ as impeachment nears
On the eve of almost-certain impeachment, President Donald Trump fired off a furious letter yesterday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi denouncing the ‘‘vicious crusade’’ against him, while Democrats amassed the votes they needed and Republicans looked ahead, vowing to defend Trump at next month’s Senate trial.
Trump, who would be just the third US president to be impeached, acknowledged he was powerless to stop today’s vote. He appeared to intend his lengthy, accusatory message less for Pelosi than for 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 their 2016 election losses. ‘‘You are the ones bringing pain and suffering to our Republic for your own selfish, personal political and partisan gain.’’
Portraying himself as a blameless victim, as he often does,
Trump compared the impeachment inquiry to the ‘‘Salem Witch Trials.’’ Asked later if he bore any responsibility for the proceedings, he said, ‘‘No, I don’t think any. Zero, to put it mildly.’’
Pelosi, who warned earlier this year against pursuing a strictly partisan impeachment, nonetheless has the numbers to approve it. According to a tally compiled by The Associated Press, Trump is on track to be formally charged by a House majority today.
‘‘Very sadly, the facts have made clear that the president abused his power for his own personal, political benefit and that he obstructed Congress,’’ Pelosi 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 two articles of impeachment, for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
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. That trial is expected to begin in January.
‘‘I’m not an impartial juror,’’ McConnell declared. The Republican-majority chamber is all but sure to acquit the president.
Trump is accused of abusing
his presidential power in a July phone call in which he asked the newly elected president of Ukraine, a US ally facing an aggressive Russia at its border, to ‘‘do us a favour’’ by investigating Democrats, including his potential 2020 rival Joe Biden.
At the time, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was hoping for a coveted White House meeting that would bolster his standing with Ukraine’s most important ally. He also was counting on nearly $400 million (NZ$610m) in military aid Congress had approved to counter Russia. The White House had put the money on hold – as leverage, the Democrats say.
In his letter on Tuesday, 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. Conceding the House vote, he said he wanted to set his words down ‘‘for the purpose of history.’’
Tens of thousands of people across the country marched in support of impeachment yesterday, from a demonstration through a rainy Times Square to handfuls of activists standing vigil in small towns around the country.
Liberal groups organised more than 600 events from Alaska to Florida, following a familiar model of mass protest that has come to define the Left during the Trump administration. – AP