Trump's legal team rejects impeachment charges, calls it 'brazen and unlawful'

US President Donald Trump’s legal team called impeachment articles, passed by House of Representatives, ‘constitutionally invalid’ in its first formal response. legal team, led by White House counsel Pat Cipollone, filed a six-p response to summons tifying Trump of impeachment trial which has w proceeded to Senate.

In document, team accused Democrats of “brazen and unlawful attempt” to nullify results of 2016 presidential elections and interfere in upcoming elections. filing also claimed that impeachment charges were result of a lawless process that violated basic due process and fundamental fairness.

House Prosecutors h earlier alleged, in impeachment charges, that Trump used his official powers to pressure a foreign government to interfere in a United States 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.

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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. 

“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),” watchdog said in a statement on January 16.

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Trial moves to Senate

Chief Justice John Roberts will preside trial and all 100 senators will serve as jurors for third impeachment trial in US history. Senate turned into an impeachment court following second day of a ceremonial protocol to shift proceedings from Democrat-controlled House. In trial, Senate will serve as jury and at least two-thirds of Senate, i.e. 67 Senators, have to vote in favour of removal, which seems highly unlikely since it is controlled by Republicans.

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(With AP inputs)