Trump facing major inquiry into corruption

Probe could be first step in impeachment

A US congressional committee is launching a sweeping new investigation into President Donald Trump, his White House, his campaign and his businesses.

The House Judiciary Committee is sending document requests to 81 people linked to the president and his associates.

Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler said the inquiry will focus on obstruction of justice, corruption and abuse of power.

The aggressive, broad investigation could set the stage for impeachment, although Democratic leaders have pledged to investigate all avenues and review special counsel Robert Mueller’s report before taking drastic action.

Mr Nadler said the document requests, with responses to most due by March 18, are a way to “begin building the public record” and that the committee has the responsibility to investigate and hold public hearings.

“Over the last several years, President Trump has evaded accountability for his near-daily attacks on our basic legal, ethical and constitutional rules and norms,” Mr Nadler said in announcing the beginning of the probe.

“Investigating these threats to the rule of law is an obligation of Congress and a core function of the House Judiciary Committee.”

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders called the House probe “a disgraceful and abusive HILLARY CLINTON has said she will not run for president in 2020, but has vowed she is “not going anywhere”.

The former US secretary of state, senator and first lady ruled out another campaign after losing the 2016 presidential election to Donald Trump. She said: “I’m going to keep on working and speaking and standing up for what I believe.” She added: “What’s at stake in our country, the kind of things that are happening right now, are deeply troubling to me.”

More than 10 candidates have already declared they will take part in a primary as the Democratic Party sets out to choose its Presidential nominee.

investigation into tired, false allegations”.

In a statement, she said: “Chairman Nadler and his fellow Democrats have embarked on this fishing expedition because they are terrified that their twoyear false narrative of ‘Russia collusion’ is crumbling. Their intimidation and abuse of American citizens is shameful.”

Now that Democrats hold a majority in the House, the move all but guarantees that potentially damaging allegations will shadow the president for months to come.

Mr Nadler’s announcement comes after the House intelligence panel announced a separate probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election and Mr Trump’s foreign financial interests.

The House Oversight and Reform Committee has launched multiple investigations.

The list of 81 names touches on all parts of Mr Trump’s life – his businesses, his campaign, the committee that oversaw the transition from campaign to the White House and the White House itself.

The committee asks for information surrounding former FBI director James Comey’s termination, communications with Justice Department officials, and Trump Tower meeting at the centre of collusions claims with Russia.

The announcement of the new investigation follows a bad political week for the president. He emerged empty-handed from a high-profile summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Mr Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, in three days of congressional evidence, publicly characterised the president as a “conman” and “cheat”.

Investigating these threats to the rule of law is an obligation.

The House Judiciary Committee chairman Jerrold Nadler