Trump Impeachment: Trial opens as senators are sworn in after charges against president read out

Donald Trump's impeachment trial has started with senators being sworn in as jurors and the charges against the president read out.

As senators took their oaths, a congressional watchdog found the White House broke the law by withholding security aid for Ukraine approved by Congress.

It is unclear whether the assessment from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office will feature in the president's trial in the Republican-led Senate as it is not known if new evidence will be considered.

As the impeachment trial officially started, seven House representatives who have been appointed as impeachment prosecutors walked across the Capitol for the second day after delivering the charges to the Senate on Wednesday.

"Hear ye, hear ye, hear ye!" called out the Senate's sergeant-at-arms as he started the ceremonial protocol ahead of the charges being read out.

Lead prosecutor Adam Schiff, who also leads the intelligence committee, then read out the formal charges against the president from the well of the Senate usually reserved for senators.

Chief justice John Roberts, who will preside over the trial, later took an oath to preside over the trial then swore in 99 out of 100 senators who will serve as jurors, as they promised to deliver "impartial justice".

One senator, Republican Jim Inhofe, was at home in Oklahoma to be with an ill family member, according to his office, but will sign the oath later.

Thursday's ceremony was the formal start of the impeachment trial, but the actual arguments will not start until next Tuesday.

Following the senators being sworn in, Mr Trump tweeted: "I JUST GO IMPEACHED FOR MAKING A PERFECT PHONE CALL!"

Mr Trump is accused of abusing his office by asking the Ukrainian president to investigate the son of his political rival Joe Biden and withholding $391 million (£299m) in security aid for Ukraine until he agreed to.

However, the president has dismissed the charges as a "hoax".

He suggested Republican senators should vote to dismiss the impeachment articles without hearing any arguments, but they have indicated that is not something they will do.

The Senate is expected to acquit Mr Trump, as none of its 53 Republicans voiced support for removing him - a step that requires a two-thirds majority.

WHEN ON WEB VIEW, SEE OUR TOP LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE BAR FOR LIVE STREAM NEWS CHANNELS (GLOBAL AND NIGERIAN)

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK  

> facebook Global audience 

> facebook Nigerian audience  

FOLLOW US ON:

> The Forefront on Twitter

>{Instagram: the_forefront_nigeria }

Connect with Joshua Osagie (Blog owner)

 >  facebook personal account 

 > facebook  (fan page) 

 > twitter

Share this post now with others on social media. Use media options below.