Trump news: President calls for whistleblower and Bidens to testify in impeachment trial as reports say Iran 'accidentally' shot down Ukraine plane
Donald Trump has moved to soothe the tensions he inflamed with Iran by assassinating Quds commander Qassem Soleimani, saying the regime is “standing down” after fears a ballistic missile strike on two US military bases in Iraq could escalate into a full blown war.
But the president’s address to the nation on Wednesday, flanked by senior cabinet members and top generals at the White House, was criticised by many for the slurred nature of much of his speech, with commentators again questioning Mr Trump’s fitness for office after he stumbled over simple words.
As House speaker Nancy Pelosi prepared for a Thursday vote on limiting his power to launch the US military into further skirmishes overseas, her impeachment stalemate with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continues and a new poll forecasts the president losing the 2020 election in November to a “generic Democrat” by a humiliating nine-point margin.
Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats overwhelmingly voted to support a resolution that aims to limit the president's future military actions in Iran, with all but one Democrat supporting a resolution from Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin. The measure directs Mr Trump to "terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran or any part of its government or military" without first receiving Congressional approval.
The vote followed the president's announcement of dramatic rollbacks to environmental oversight for large-scale developments, from roads to oil pipelines, that environmental groups are warning will be irreparably dangerous as the country faces the climate crisis.
Meanwhile, the Senate Majority Leader has indicated he expects to receive articles of impeachment from the House on Friday, with a trial to start as early as next week, though Ms Pelosi and House leaders have not received assurance of an impartial trial with witnesses and evidence.
Mr McConnell also supported a resolution from a fellow Senate Republican that will consider dismissing the impeachment entirely.
In response, Speaker Pelosi said: "If Republican Senators move for a quick dismissal of the charges against the President, with no witnesses or documents, it will be because they are afraid of the truth."
As Mr Trump and Vice President Mike Pence head to Ohio for another raucous campaign rally, nearly 400 protests across the US will demand the administration end its conflict with Iran.
Follow along with updates as they happened:
Read more
Trump falsely accuses Pelosi of 'defending' Iran general Soleimani
Trump to roll back environmental protections
Trump’s slurred Iran speech raises concern, 2020 poll predicts defeat
Trump is ‘dangerous and incapacitated’, psychiatrists warn
Trump officials give 'worst briefing in history' about Iran attack
