The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to convene at 9 a.m. to hear both Democratic and Republican lawyers present evidence for or against the impeachment of President Donald Trump in what is expected to be a key hearing.
As the New York Times reports, Barry H. Berke, representing committee Democrats, will be presenting evidence for impeachment, while Stephen R. Castor for the Republicans will make arguments against impeachment.
Notably absent from this hearing are lawyers for the president, as the White House has refused to participate in the proceedings.
On Friday, the White House made it clear that it will not be sending any lawyer or any other official to the hearing, with White House Counsel Pat Cipollone noting in a letter to House Judiciary Chair Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) that “House Democrats have wasted enough of America’s time with this charade,” USA Today reports.
Nonetheless, the Democrats are pushing forward, and are expected to begin drafting articles of impeachment against Trump.
If one or more articles are approved by the Democratic majority—which at this point is presumed a given—Dems are expected to bring the matter to a House vote before the end of the year.