House Dems, GOP spar over impeachment inquiry
The Democratic-led House is focusing on the Republican president's request during a July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy that he investigate a domestic political rival, Joe Biden, and Biden's son Hunter.
Trump's administration has not cooperated in the inquiry, seeking to block testimony and documents.
Former vice president Biden is a leading contender to become the Democratic 2020 presidential nominee to face Trump. Hunter Biden had served on the board of a Ukrainian energy company.
Trump's request - described by Democrats as an improper invitation for foreign interference in an American election - came after the U.S. president had withheld $391 million in security aid to Ukraine approved by the U.S. Congress to help combat Russia-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country. Zelenskiy agreed to the request. The aid was later released.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and accused Democrats of trying to oust him to prevent him from being re-elected. He also has called on his fellow Republicans to get tougher and fight harder against the fast-moving impeachment inquiry.
If the Democratic-led House approves of articles of impeachment - formal charges - against Trump, the Republican-led Senate would then hold a trial on whether to remove Trump from office. Few Republicans have shown an inclination to remove Trump from office though some have begun to express rising concerns about his policies including U.S. troop withdrawals in the Syria war.
