This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
On December 13, 2019, US lawmakers took a historic step by approving two charges against Donald Trump, paving the way for a full House of Representatives vote to impeach the president.
The House Judiciary Committee voted along strict party lines, with 23 Democrats supporting the charges and 17 Republicans opposing them. The committee's chairman, Jerry Nadler, described the day as 'solemn and sad.'
The approved charges include abuse of power for conditioning military aid and a White House meeting on Ukraine launching investigations into Democrats, and obstruction of Congress for Trump's blanket refusal to cooperate with the inquiry.
"Today is a solemn and sad day," Nadler said after the votes. "The House will act expeditiously."
The articles of impeachment will now be considered by the full House, which will vote next week on impeaching Trump. The move would trigger a trial of Trump in the Senate, where the Republican majority is expected to protect the president.
Trump, who rejects the impeachment process as a 'witch hunt,' sought to show he was hard at work during the vote, tweeting about a trade agreement reached with China. However, White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham slammed the committee vote as the 'shameful end' to a 'desperate charade.'
