Trump Lawyer Giuliani Associate Says "President Lies"
[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] On the 16th (local time), the U.S. Senate officially began the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump, starting with Chief Justice John Roberts taking the oath.
Local U.S. media closely covered every move of Chief Justice Roberts, who presided over the trial, noting that he appeared in judicial robes and took the oath before Congress with a solemn expression.
After taking the oath, Chief Justice Roberts asked the senators, "Do you swear to do impartial justice in the impeachment trial of President Trump according to the Constitution and the law?" The senators responded, "Yes." Subsequently, 99 out of the 100 senators participated in the oath. The senators serve as jurors in this trial. After taking the oath, the senators signed the roll to complete the procedures for their jury duties.
Adam Schiff, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, who will serve as an impeachment manager leading the impeachment alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, read the articles of impeachment and continued the offensive against President Trump.
The formal trial is scheduled to begin on the 21st, the day after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. When the trial opens with the attendance of the impeachment managers on the 21st, the Senate will vote to determine the trial procedures based on prior discussions. Since the Republicans hold the majority in the Senate, it is expected that the procedures will be decided according to the Republican stance.
President Trump will be impeached if even one of the two charges against him receives the required vote threshold. However, unlike the House, the Senate requires a two-thirds majority. Out of 100 senators, 67 must vote in favor of impeachment, but since Republicans hold 53 seats, it is widely believed that passing the impeachment is difficult. Unlike the Democrats, the Republicans have shown unity without any defections during the House vote.
As the Senate impeachment trial began, President Trump expressed dissatisfaction on his Twitter, saying, "Impeached for a perfect phone call." He conveyed his frustration that he is being impeached for a conversation between heads of state with the President of Ukraine.
At the time the Senate impeachment trial was intensifying, another unfavorable statement for President Trump emerged.
Lev Parnas, an associate of Rudy Giuliani, President Trump's personal lawyer, said in an interview with MSNBC on the 15th, when asked "What is the key lie in the impeachment process?" that "The claim that the President did not know is false. President Trump definitely knew how things were progressing." He asserted, "I do nothing without Giuliani or the President's permission."
President Trump again denied knowing Parnas. After Parnas's interview was broadcast, he met with reporters at the White House and said, "I don't know who this person is," denying any relationship with Parnas.
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