|
WASHINGTON, Feb. 3-- U.S. House impeachment managers and President Donald Trump's defense team clashed Monday in their closing arguments of the Senate impeachment trial. In a four-hour session equally divided for both sides, House manager Adam Schiff said "history will not be kind to Donald Trump," accusing him of betraying "the national interest and security to help with his reelection." Hakeem Jeffries, another House manager, said in his remarks that they have proven their case against Trump with "a mountain of evidence." White House counsel Pat Cipollone, for his part, defended the president's acts by alleging Democrats were aimed at overturning the results of the 2016 presidential election and interfering in the ongoing presidential race. Cipollone, in addition, urged senators to reject the articles of impeachment against Trump. The Senate adjourned after they wrapped up the closing arguments. The chamber, where Republicans have a narrow majority over Democrats, will proceed to votes on the articles of impeachment Wednesday afternoon amid wide expectations that Trump will be acquitted. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia, speaking from the Senate floor in a legislative session on Monday, called on the Senate to censure Trump. "Censure would allow this body to unite across party lines and as an equal branch of government to formally denounce the president's actions and hold him accountable," Manchin said. | 
