Democrats on Thursday sharpened their case for removing President Trumpfrom office, kicking off the second day of opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial by zeroing in on the first of the House’s two charges: abuse of power.
The proceedings come on the heels of Wednesday’s arguments, in which Democrats laid out a broad, if detailed, chronology of Trump’s pressure campaign on Ukrainian leaders last year.
Led by Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), the lead impeachment manager, the Democrats say they’ll use Thursday’s stage to build on that broader base — to “apply the facts to the law as it pertains to the president’s abuse of power,” in Schiff’s words — as they press for Trump’s conviction and removal.
Wednesday’s arguments mark the second of what are expected to be three eight-hour days of opening statements by the Democrats. Trump’s legal team will then have the same window to present his defense. Continue reading.