The US Democrats in the House of Representatives are taking the next step in preparing for impeachment of President Donald Trump. This week, there will be a plenary vote for the first time, announced the spokeswoman for the parliamentary chamber, Nancy Pelosi, in a letter to MPs. Thus, the White House could no longer use the absence of a plenary decision as a "groundless" excuse to boycott the investigation, Pelosi said.
The move was designed to "dispel any doubt" as to whether the government could refuse to withhold documents and witnesses from MPs, Pelosi said. "No one is above the law," the Democrat emphasized once more. The vote in plenary is apparently scheduled for Thursday.
"Nobody is above the law. Best regards, Nancy." --- @ SpeakerPelosi's final zinger to @realDonaldTrump in a letter to inform you about this impeachment inquiry. pic.twitter.com/fEGqpmaw7s
- Sheryl Gay Stolberg (@SherylNYT) October 28, 2019The vote will allow, inter alia, public hearings, as stated in Pelosis letter. In addition, the Judiciary Committee should play a greater role in the preparation of the actual vote on impeachment. The rights of the President and his lawyers in the proceedings should also be clarified.
Trump's spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said the White House could not comment on this until the exact text of the resolution was known. The introduction of the resolution clearly shows that the Democrats had so far operated a wrongful and invalid procedure, she explained.
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Only a few days ago, the Democrats had won a stage victory on the way to Trump's possible impeachment. A US federal judge upheld the legality of the investigation and ordered the government to produce an undecorated copy of Special Rapporteur Robert Mueller's report on the Russia affair.
So far, only three House committees have dealt with the impeachment investigation. The Democrats have a majority in the parliamentary chamber, but at first it did not seem certain that all the members of the party would vote for such a case. However, after hearing the first witnesses and further investigations, a majority of MEPs' approval has since become relatively secure.
President Trump's Republicans, however, control the Senate, which ultimately would have to agree to an impeachment of the President. This is considered very unlikely.
Video: Trump attacks own party
Yuri Gripas / POOL / EPA-EFE / REX
The Democrats had started preparing for the impeachment trial last month after new allegations against Trump became known. According to him, Trump in July has urged the new Ukrainian President Volodymyr Selenskyj, to initiate investigations that could harm the political rivals of the Republican. Trump is said to have used the restraint of about 400 million US dollars in aid as a means of pressure. The Democrats accuse him of abuse of power and an attempt to influence the election with the help of a foreign government. Trump rejects the allegations as a "witch hunt" back.