Donald Trump dismisses Democratic impeachment inquiry as a 'joke'

Donald Trump on Wednesday dismissed as a "joke" grounds laid out for impeachment inquiry into him, as Democrats stood firm in accusing US president of a "mafia-style shakedown" of his Ukrainian counterpart. Trump denied claims that he abused his office by repeatedly urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to probe his rival Joe Biden -- as confirmed in a call transcript released by White House. next explosive episode in rapidly unfolding impeachment drama is set for Thursday when acting director of national intelligence Joseph McGuire testifies on Capitol Hill. "y are getting hit hard on this witch hunt because when y look at information, it's a joke," said president, who struck an uncharacteristically subdued tone at his first news conference since Democrats launched an official impeachment inquiry. 

‘Exerted pressure on Kiev’ 

 "Impeachment for that? When you have a wonderful meeting, or you have a wonderful phone conversation?" A more defiant Trump had earlier insisted he exerted " pressure" on Kiev -- a claim echoed by Zelensky, who appeared side-by-side with US leader at a long-planned meeting on sidelines of UN General Assembly. But publication of transcript sent new shockwaves through Washington, including within ranks of Trump's Republican Party, with Senator Mitt Romney calling it "deeply troubling". Two competing narratives immediately took hold. Trump and his allies claimed July 25 call contained evidence of a quid pro quo pressuring Zelensky to probe president's top Democratic rival for White House.  

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Democrats - ‘Mafia bosses talk like this’ 

Democrats meanwhile held it up as a smoking gun. "This is how a mafia boss talks," charged senior lawmaker Adam Schiff. "'What have you done for us? We've done so much for you but re's t much reciprocity. I have a favor to ask you.'" "And what is that favour? Of course, favor is to investigate his political rival, to investigate  Bidens." call summary -- which is t a verbatim transcript -- shows Trump saying US Attorney General Bill Barr and president's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani would be in touch about probing Ukraine-related activities of Biden and his son. In anuncing impeachment probe, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Trump's actions amounted to a betrayal of his oath of office and of national security.  

As Barack Obama's vice president, Biden, and or Western leaders pressured Ukraine to get rid of country's top prosecutor, Viktor Shokin, because he was seen as t tough eugh on corruption. "re's a lot of talk about Biden's son, that Biden stopped prosecution and a lot of people want to find out about that so whatever you can do with attorney general would be great," Trump told Zelensky in call. "Biden went around bragging that he stopped prosecution so if you can look into it... It sounds horrible to me." transcript did t show Trump explicitly tying aid to Ukraine to Zelensky probing Biden, which has fed calls to impeach him. But two did discuss a major aid pack, which had been frozen by Trump at time and was only released in recent weeks. 

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Zelensky - ‘t pushed by Trump’ 

memo also shows Trump asking Zelensky for a "favor" on an issue unconnected to Biden -- just after ting that US had been "very, very good to Ukraine." Analysts ted that transcript uses ellipses -- deting words or entire passs are missing -- on three occasions, all when Trump is making requests of Zelensky. Ors pointed out that it was supposed to summarize a 30-minute call, yet transcript runs to around just 12 minutes. "re was pressure whatsoever," Trump told reporters earlier Wednesday, saying Democrats had built up exchange as "call from hell" but that "it turned out to be a thing call". Zelensky insisted meanwhile that he had t been "pushed" by Trump during controversial call.  

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Faced with possibility of becoming third US president in history to be impeached, Trump has pushed back hard -- branding probe "single greatest witch hunt in American history... a disgraceful thing." Pelosi had for months resisted pressure from party rank-and-file for impeachment, preferring to focus on next year's election fight. But on Tuesday, she relented, 11 days after news that an anymous US intelligence official had filed a whistleblower complaint on Trump's alleged double-dealing with Ukraine. Democrats made clear White House's release of call record would t satisfy ir investigation into wher US leader broke law, and complaint has w been reviewed by lawmakers. Top Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer told reporters after reading whistleblower complaint that "it's very troubling" -- an assessment echoed by Republican Senator Ben Sasse, who said that "re's obviously lots that are very troubling re." Schumer later called in a statement for contents of complaint to be made public, saying: " public has a right to read whistleblower's complaint about mselves." 

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