This archive report was first published on 30 September 2019.
US President Donald Trump has escalated his rhetoric on Twitter, warning of 'treason' and 'civil war' as the Democratic-led House of Representatives moves ahead with its inquiry into his alleged abuse of power.
On Monday, Trump tweeted that the impeachment inquiry was the 'Greatest Witch Hunt in the history of our Country!'
He also suggested that Adam Schiff, the Californian lawmaker heading the impeachment inquiry, be arrested for treason, following Schiff's parody imitation of Trump speaking like a mob boss to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate his potential 2020 White House opponent Joe Biden.
Trump's comments came as the House of Representatives opened a congressional hearing last week with a whistleblower complaint about his July 25 phone call with the Ukrainian leader.
According to reports, Trump asked Ukraine's leader to look into the hacking of a Democratic Party server and theft of emails during the 2016 presidential election, which Trump claims came from Ukraine and not from Russia.
Trump's former Homeland Security adviser Thomas Bossert has described the conspiracy theory as 'completely debunked.'
Trump has also stepped up his attacks on the media, accusing them of lying and cheating in order to destabilize the United States and its upcoming 2020 election.
Former Republican senator Jeff Flake of Arizona has urged Republican lawmakers to speak up against Trump's actions, saying 'it is time to risk your careers in favor of your principles.'
