国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Divided House approves rules for impeachment inquiry, uncertainties ahead_时事

国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Divided House approves rules for impeachment inquiry, uncertainties ahead

Trump was alleged to have abused power by using a military aid to pressure Zelensky into investigating former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, a leading 2020 Democratic presidential contender, so as to help his re-election campaign.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing. The White House has dismissed those allegations and made clear that it will not cooperate with House investigators by providing documents or witnesses because it considered the ongoing impeachment inquiry unfair and illegitimate.

So far, the impeachment inquiry hearings have been held behind closed doors before three House panels.

House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney on Thursday called it "a process that has been fundamentally tainted."

"The President has had no rights inside these hearings, his counsel has not been able to be present, so from them now to claim they're going to open this up, which, by the way, the resolution does not do," she added.

House Democrats have argued that there is no need to hold a full chamber vote to authorize the impeachment inquiry, citing Constitution stating that the House "shall have the sole Power of Impeachment."

Speaking to a press conference Thursday morning, Pelosi pushed back on Republicans' criticism. "The facts are what they are. They can try to misrepresent them, but the fact is, this is a process that is expanded opportunity for them to show anything that is exculpatory to prove the innocence of the president," she said.