Impeachment managers present opening arguments
Democrats lay out their case against President Donald Trump - NBC's Alice Barr reports
WASHINGTON, D.C. (KYMA, KECY/NBC News) - After months of investigation, and hours of partisan debate, house impeachment managers focused Wednesday on their core complaints against President Donald Trump - that he abused his power and obstructed Congress.
They'll have just three-days to make their case, before the President's team mounts its defense.
NBC's Alice Barr examines the Democrats' moment in the spotlight.
With a prayer for wisdom...
"Patriots reside on both sides of the aisle."
And a call to order...
"The Senate of the United States is sitting for the trial of the articles of impeachment."
House managers began their opening arguments - for the first time laying out their entire case against President Trump from start to finish.
"The Constitution demands the removal of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States." Representative Adam Schiff, (D) California, told the Senate.
House Democrats have just 24-hours, spread over three days, to wage an uphill battle. They have to convince a small number of moderates - hard to find in the Republican-controlled Senate - that Trump obstructed Congress and abused his power by urging Ukraine to announce an investigation into one of his political rivals.
"The Constitution demands the removal of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States." said Schiff, one of the House impeachment managers.
Republicans continue to defend Trump against, what they call, a partisan process.
"They're on a crusade to destroy this man, don't care what they destroy in the process." said Senator Lindsey Graham, (R) South Carolina.
The President himself today casting doubt on whether he'd let members of his administration testify, while saying he'd like to be there himself.
“I would love to go sit in the front row and stare at their corrupt faces.” said the President.
Democrats promise to fight for a full process "with new evidence..."
"Focus the American people on the need for a fair trial, which means witnesses and documents." said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D) New York.
With the real battle underway, Democrats are now looking beyond the Senators sitting in judgment, and taking their case directly to the American public.
The next vote on whether to allow witnesses is still several days away. And now President Trump is suggesting he could use executive privilege to block former staffers, like John Bolton, from taking the stand.
