The Democratic-led US House of Representatives will hold its first public hearing on its impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

The hearing in front of the House Intelligence Committee begins at 10AM ET.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi described today as a “sad day,” “calm day,” and “prayerful day.”

Background

The Democrats insist Trump threatened to withhold aid to Ukraine to President Volodymyr Zelensky unless the government investigated former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

Hunter sat on the board of Burisma Holdings when Biden served as the top US government official to rebuild our relationship with Ukraine after the fall of Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovych.

The transcript shows no pressure or threats. Zelensky has said many times Trump and his administration has not pressured him into an investigation.

Witnesses

Bill Taylor – Top diplomat in Ukraine

George Kent – Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs

Questioning

From NBC News:

Schiff and Nunes will have 45 minutes each to question witnesses in the first part of the hearing. They can also delegate the questioning to a committee lawyer instead, which Schiff has indicated he’ll do. Schiff will determine if there is a need for an additional 90 minute staff round or to move on to lawmaker questions. Once the staff question round or rounds conclude, the format will revert to one similar to a traditional congressional hearing, with lawmakers getting five minutes each to ask questions.



