This archive report was first published on 27 November 2019.
US President Donald Trump has been invited to the first impeachment hearing on 4 December, marking the next stage in the impeachment inquiry into his alleged wrongdoing.
The hearing centres on a July phone call between Mr Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Mr Trump asked Mr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden, the front runner to be the Democratic candidate in next year's presidential election, and his son Hunter Biden.
Mr Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has called the inquiry a 'witch hunt', but Jerrold Nadler, the Democratic chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, has invited him to the hearing, saying he can either attend or 'stop complaining about the process'.
Mr Nadler said in a statement that he had written to Mr Trump inviting him to the hearing next month, and that the president would be able to question witnesses if he attends.
The Judiciary Committee is expected to begin drafting articles of impeachment in early December, which would then be voted on by the Democratic-controlled House and followed by a trial in the Republican-run Senate.
Image copyrightREUTERS
Image captionJerrold Nadler said Mr Trump should either attend the hearing or 'stop complaining'
