Trump impeachment: ‘Toxic’ move driven by ‘partisan rage’, McConnell says

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – US President Trump’s impeachment is the “most rushed, least thorough and most unfair” in history, the Senate’s Republican leader Mitch McConnell says.

The Democrat-led House of Representatives had let its “partisan rage” create a “toxic precedent that will echo into the future”, he added.

But Democrat Chuck Schumer said Mr McConnell had offered no defence of the president’s actions.

On Wednesday, the House voted to impeach Mr Trump on two charges.

The charges – that the president abused his power and obstructed Congress – centre on whether or not he improperly sought help from Ukraine to boost his chances of re-election in 2020.

Mr Trump now faces a trial in the Senate – but the Senate is controlled by the Republicans, so it is highly unlikely he will be removed from power.