'Bogus' Ukraine theory led to Trump's abuse, Dems tell trial

Democratic House prosecutors made an expansive case Thursday at Donald Trump's impeachment trial that he abused power like no other president in history, swept up by a completely bogus Ukraine theory pushed by attorney Rudy Giuliani.

On Friday, the Democrats will press their final day of arguments before skeptical Republican senators, focusing on the second article of impeachment, obstruction of Congress' investigation.

As the audience of Senate jurors sat through another long day, and night, the prosecutors outlined how they said Trump abused power for his own personal political benefit ahead of the 2020 election, even as the nation's top FBI and national security officials were publicly warning off the theory that it was Ukraine, not Russia, that interfered in the 2016 election.

That's what Donald Trump wanted investigated or announced this completely bogus Kremlin-pushed conspiracy theory, said Rep. Adam Schiff, the chairman of the House Intelligence Committee who is leading the prosecution, during Thursday's session, which wrapped around 10:30 p.m. ET.

Trump is accused of seeking the Ukrainian investigation and probes of political foe Joe Biden and Biden's son while holding back congressionally approved military aid as leverage. Schiff said, You can imagine what a danger that presents to this country."
Ahead of the day's proceedings, Sen. Roy Blunt of Missouri said the Democrats were putting forward admirable presentations. But he said, There's just not much new here."