WASHINGTON (AP) A solemn day or a show trial?
Americans and the world can decide for themselves as House Democrats let the public in to the impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.
With the bang of a gavel, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff opens the first hearings Wednesday into Trumps pressure on Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Bidens family. Big questions loom, including how strongly officials connected what Trump called that favor to U.S. military aid for Ukraine.
Impeachable offenses? Worthy of Trumps removal? And, critically, will a parade of diplomats and their accounts nudge more Americans behind formally charging Trump in the shadow of the 2020 elections?
Heres what to know about the first hearing, with the charge daffaires in Ukraine, William Taylor, and a career diplomat, George Kent, at the witness table, beginning at 10 a.m.:
WHOS UP FIRST?
Shortly after Schiffs gavel, he and ranking Republican Devin Nunes will begin the questioning. They get 45 minutes each or can designate staff attorneys to do so.
Members of the panel will then get five minutes each to ask questions, alternating between Republicans and Democrats.
There will also be exhibits. Democrats, at least, are expected to display excerpts from transcripts, text messages, relevant news articles and social media posts.
FIRST, KNOW THIS
The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.
Expect numerous mentions of Article 2, Section 4 of the Constitution, especially on whether Trumps own words and actions meet the vague threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors. Some Democrats and diplomats say conditioning U.S. aid on whether Ukraine goes after Bidens son Hunter sounds like bribery. Republicans deny that, saying Trump did not explicitly offer aid for the Biden probe.
What its not: a trial, which would be conducted by the Senate if the House approves articles of impeachment. So no matter what the president tweets, he is not entitled to a defense attorney. The proceedings are the due process he says hes being denied, though they are controlled by Democrats in ways Republicans will say is unfair.
… AND THIS
Its only the fourth time in American history that Congress has launched impeachment proceedings against a sitting president. Two of those against Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton 130 years later resulted in their impeachments, or formal charges approved by the House. Both were acquitted by the Senate.
President Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before the House could vote to impeach him.
THE SPIN
With only hours to go before the gavel, Republicans and Democrats from Congress to the campaign trail were spinning their points of view.
Well, its a calm day, its a prayerful day, its a solemn day for our country, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday night on the eve of the hearings. Its a sad day, which I wish we never had to face.
A phony show trial, Trump groused a few hours later.
