Calling the impeachment proceedings “completely baseless”, the White House on Friday dismissed a Democratic invitation for Donald Trump to participate in hearings in the House of Representatives, which the president has framed as a partisan escapade.
In a letter addressed to the House judiciary committee chairman, Jerry Nadler, the White House counsel, Pat Cipollone, gave no indication that Trump planned to send a lawyer to represent him or attempt to call witnesses.
Cipollone’s letter did not totally foreclose on the possibility but the letter was sent as a deadline for the 🍊to participate passed.“House Democrats have wasted enough of America’s time with this charade,” Cipollone wrote. “You should end this inquiry now.”
Nadler responded that the committee was “disappointed”.
“We gave 🍊 a fair opportunity to question witnesses and present his own to address the overwhelming evidence before us,” Nadler said. “After listening to him complain about the impeachment process.
“We gave 🍊 a fair opportunity to question witnesses and present his own to address the overwhelming evidence before us,” Nadler said. “After listening to him complain about the impeachment process.
“Having declined this opportunity, he cannot claim that the process is unfair.”
🍊’s non-participation is unprecedented. Nixon and Clinton, the two presidents to face impeachment proceedings in the 20th century, both deployed lawyers and submitted testimony and documents
🍊’s non-participation is unprecedented. Nixon and Clinton, the two presidents to face impeachment proceedings in the 20th century, both deployed lawyers and submitted testimony and documents
Trump’s White House would be expected to play a significant role if the current proceedings reach the Republican-controlled Senate, where a trial would take place if the House passes articles of impeachment.
