TRUMP REJECTS CALL TO TESTIFY AT IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

WASHINGTON Former president donald Trump’s lawyers on Thursday rejected a request from democrats to testify at his impeachment trial in the u.s. Senate next week, dismissing their invitation as a “public relations stunt.”

democrats in the House of representatives accuse Trump of inciting insurrection when he urged supporters to “fight” his election defeat before they stormed the Capitol, fought with police and sent lawmakers scrambling for safety.

Five people died, including a Capitol Police officer.

“The president will not testify in an unconstitutional proceeding,” Trump adviser Jason miller told reuters.

In an open letter, Trump’s attorneys, bruce Castor and david Schoen, called the request a “public relations stunt.”

The attorneys this week rejected the impeachment charge and asserted his claims that his election defeat was the result of widespread fraud — which were baseless — were protected by the First Amendment of the u.s. Constitution.