Trump to submit comprehensive defense in Senate as Impeachment Trial begins

After dismissing impeachment 'hoax' for months, United States President Donald Trump is expected to submit his first comprehensive defence on January 20 by 17:00 GMT. Before Republican-led Senate begins only third impeachment trial against a US President, Trump has to submit a written response to charges of 'obstruction of Congress' and 'abuse of power'. 

Democrats have accused Trump of abusing his constitutional powers by asking his Ukrainian counterpart to start an investigation against political rival Joe Biden and withholding military assistance in return. 45th US President has repeatedly said that 'crazy Nancy Pelosi' and 'Do thing Democrats' have planned entire impeachment and also claims to have done thing wrong. In first formal response, even Trump's legal team has called impeachment articles submitted by Democrats as 'constitutionally invalid'.

Read - Trump Hails 'Phase-one' Deal With China, Says 'much Better' Than Expected

'Constitutionally invalid' impeachment articles

legal team, led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, filed a six-p response to summons and tified Trump of impeachment trial which has w been proceeded to Senate. In document, team accused Democrats of “brazen and unlawful attempt” to nullify results of 2016 presidential elections and interfere in upcoming 2020 elections. filing also claimed that impeachment charges were result of a lawless process that violated basic due process and fundamental fairness.

Read - Joe Biden Accuses Donald Trump Of Heightening Racial Divisions

House Prosecutors had earlier alleged, in impeachment charges, that Trump used his official powers to pressure a foreign government to interfere in a US election for his personal political gain. y wrote that US President n attempted to cover up his scheme by obstructing Congress’s investigation into his misconduct. Trump’s defence team got a mir setback when federal watchdog, Government Accountability Office (GAO), confirmed that President violated law by withholding Congressionally-approved military aid to Ukraine.

watchdog said in a statement on January 16, “Faithful execution of law does t permit President to substitute his own policy priorities for those that Congress has enacted into law. OMB withheld funds for a policy reason, which is t permitted under Impoundment Control Act (ICA).”

Read - Robert De Niro Calls Out Trump's 'blatant Abuse Of Power' At SAG Awards

Read - Trump Thanks Farmers For Backing Him Through China Trade War

(With inputs from ncies)