China News Service, February 5, reported that on the 4th, the impeachment manager of the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to former President Trump and his lawyers, formally requesting him to testify in the Senate impeachment trial.
Trump rejected the request, calling it a "public relations gimmick", showing that the House of Representatives could not prove the charges against Trump.
The chief impeachment manager of Trump’s impeachment case and Democratic Rep. Ruskin stated in the letter that because the Trump team opposed the “factual allegations” against him in the impeachment clauses, it was necessary to come to the Senate to testify under oath. Just January The situation on the 6th will be explained.
Ruskin asked Trump to testify and accept cross-examination before February 11. He hinted that testimony does not have to be in the Senate or in public.
"We are happy to arrange for you to testify at a time and place convenient to each other."
Ruskin did not indicate in the letter whether Trump would issue a subpoena to force him to attend if he refused to attend voluntarily.
Data map: Former US President Trump.
A few hours later, Trump’s lawyers Bruce Castor Jr and David Schoen responded by rejecting the request to testify at the trial and accusing the request as “public relations”. Gimmick", showing that the House of Representatives could not prove the charges against Trump.
Trump adviser Jason Miller told US media that Trump "will not testify in an unconstitutional procedure."
The House of Representatives initiated the impeachment of Trump in January, accusing him of inciting congressional riots on January 6.
On January 13, with the support of 10 Republicans, the impeachment clause was passed in the House of Representatives.
According to the plan, the trial against Trump's impeachment case will officially begin on February 9.
On February 2, Trump’s lawyers released a court briefing outlining how they will defend themselves at trial next week.
The two main arguments defended by the Trump team are: First, according to the Constitution, Trump should not accept an impeachment trial because he is no longer the president.
Second, according to the First Amendment to the Constitution, Trump has the right to protest what he considers to be a corrupt election process and encourage his supporters to join him in urging Congress to reject the election results.
The defense team pointed out that if Trump's supporters turn peaceful protests into violence, it will not be within Trump's control.
The Democratic impeachment manager also provided their own court briefing that day to prove that Trump is "unilaterally responsible" for the riots in the Capitol. Although Trump has stepped down, they believe that it is still important to convict him, because it can prevent him from holding public office again and also convey information about the boundaries of behavior to future presidents.