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This week, the House of Representatives is due to vote on the impeachment of Donald Trump. If the president is charged with abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, the Democrats hope to be able to hear witnesses who have not been heard before the House.
With our correspondent in Washington , Anne Corpet
Even if some Democrats defect, the outcome of this week's election leaves little doubt given the majority held by the Democrats : the tenant of the White House will no doubt be charged with abuse of power and obstructing the smooth running of the Congress.
Donald Trump's trial will then be held in the Senate in January and the Democrats hope to be able to hear witnesses who have not been heard before the House. This is in any case the request made by Chuck Schumer the leader of the Democratic minority in the Senate.
“ Not to hear these witnesses is to conceal the facts. If we don't hear them, the Americans may wonder what the President wants to hide, "said Chuck Schumer.
In a letter to the Senate, the leader of the Democratic minority asked to hear from Mick Mulvaney, the chief of staff of Donald Trump and John Bolton, a former national security adviser. These two relatives of the president were not heard in the House because Donald Trump prohibited them from appearing before the elected officials.
Republicans want "speedy trial"
But the Democrats are unlikely to get satisfaction and be able to summon them to the Senate. The resolution laying down the rules of the trial must be adopted by a simple majority, held by the Republicans. Mitch McConnell, the powerful majority leader in the Senate, has already stated that he wants a speedy trial, modeled on the demands of White House lawyers. He said he was not sure whether to call witnesses.
The US president's trial is scheduled to begin in the Senate in January if the House votes on the indictment. It will be the third time in the history of the United States that such a procedure will take place .