This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
US President Donald Trump is facing the deepest crisis of his presidency, with an impeachment probe launched against him over a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Published on September 30, 2019, Trump has been accused of urging Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden, his potential 2020 White House challenger, in a 'mafia-like shakedown' aimed at damaging Biden.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing, claiming he was simply doing his duty to investigate corruption in Ukraine.
"Like every American, I deserve to meet my accuser, especially when this accuser, the so-called 'Whistleblower,' represented a perfect conversation with a foreign leader in a totally inaccurate and fraudulent way," Trump said in a series of tweets.
Trump has also accused top Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff of lying to Congress about the phone call, and has called for Schiff to be questioned for 'Fraud & Treason'.
Democrats have charged aggressively into the inquiry, ordering Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to turn over Ukraine-related documents and scheduling witness testimony.
On NBC's 'Meet the Press,' Schiff said he expected the whistleblower to testify 'very soon' - with all precautions taken to protect their identity.
