US President Donald Trump has been invited by the House Democrats to appear in his own impeachment or to stop complaining about how ‘unfair’ the whole process is.
Trump has been engaged in a media war with Democrats after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi initiated impeachment proceedings against him for allegedly withholding military aid to Ukraine unless his political rival, Joe Biden and his son were investigated for alleged corruption practices in Ukraine.
Trump and Republicans have blasted the whole impeachment proceedings with all Republicans and even two Democrats voting against going ahead with the impeachment hearings but Jerold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said Mr Trump could either attend or “stop complaining about the process”.
If Trump does attend, the president would be able to question witnesses.
It would mark the next stage in the impeachment inquiry, which centres on a July phone call between Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“At base, the president has a choice to make,” Mr Nadler said. “He can take this opportunity to be represented in the impeachment hearings, or he can stop complaining about the process.
“I hope that he chooses to participate in the inquiry, directly or through counsel, as other presidents have done before him.”
“We will also discuss whether your alleged actions warrant the House’s exercising its authority to adopt articles of impeachment,” he added.
Nadler says he has given Mr Trump until 18:00 EST (23:00 GMT) on 1 December to confirm whether or not he will be at the hearing, and if so, to let the committee know who his counsel will be.
The Judiciary Committee is expected to begin drafting articles of impeachment – which are the charges of wrongdoing against the president – in early December.
Trump could be impeached the house by the Democrat controlled House of Reps but will most certainly be discharged and acquitted by the Republican controlled senate, meaning he will still remain President of the US till his tenure elapses.
