This archive report was first published on 25 September 2019.
On September 25, 2019, US Democrats took a significant step in their efforts to hold President Donald Trump accountable for his actions. A formal impeachment inquiry was launched into the President's dealings with Ukraine, following growing demands from within the party.
At the heart of the inquiry is a claim that President Trump sought to use his position to gain an advantage over his political rival, Joe Biden, in the 2020 presidential election. The allegations centre around a phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which the US President is said to have threatened to withhold military aid unless Ukraine investigated corruption allegations against Mr Biden and his son Hunter.
President Trump has denied any wrongdoing, stating that he was only trying to get Europe to step up its assistance to Ukraine by threatening to withhold military aid. However, the White House and Department of Justice have refused to provide a whistleblower's complaint, which has been deemed 'urgent' and 'credible' by the intelligence inspector general.
As the impeachment inquiry gains momentum, it remains to be seen whether it will ultimately lead to President Trump's removal from office. However, one thing is clear: the stakes are high, and the consequences of this inquiry could have far-reaching implications for the US and its people.
