Republicans are “setting a dangerous precedent that threatens the republic itself” in supporting Donald Trump against efforts to impeach him, the former director of the US Office of Government Ethics has warned.

Walter Shaub claims all future presidents will “be able to point to Trump to justify soliciting foreign attacks on elections” and a raft of other accusations levelled at the current commander-in-chief.

Meanwhile, a confidential White House review has revealed the extensive and potentially embarrassing efforts taken to create after-the-fact justification for Mr Trump’s military aid decisions in Ukraine, and thus prevent the ongoing impeachment scandal.

In less impeach-y news, Mr Trump hosted Conan the dog at the White House, where he presented the military canine with a medal and a plaque for his part in the raid on Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, last month.

During that Syria raid, Conan was reportedly injured. But he looked quite healthy on Monday.

Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally Show all 12 1 /12 Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally IMAGES INCLUDE EXPLICIT LANGUAGE: Counter protesters confront horse-mounted law enforcement after a rally by U.S. President Donald Trump in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Reuters Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally Anti-Trump protesters hold signs outside the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, ahead of a "Keep America Great" rally AFP/Getty Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally A counter protester holds a sign before a rally by U.S. President Donald Trump in Minneapolis Reuters Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally The state is home to some of the President’s most prominent critics – including senator Amy Klobuchar and congresswoman Ilhan Omar AFP/Getty Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally Both the president’s backers and his detractors were, for the most part, kept separate EPA Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally On the fringes of the action the president’s supporters clashed with protestors AP Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally A protester with a whistle attempts to interrupt U.S. President Donald Trump while he spoke Getty Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally Minneapolis Police create a blockade to hold back protestors Getty Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally On the arrival of the police protestors could be seen jeering and hurling projectiles at officers AP Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally Officers deployed pepper spray during the protests AP Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally Baby Trump balloons are carried by a counter protester before the rally Reuters Minneapolis protesters clash with police outside Trump rally Anti-Trump protesters hold signs outside the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota AFP/Getty

Mr Trump otherwise kept a low profile on Monday, amid reports that he is increasingly working in the White House residence instead of the Oval Office, apparently because of developing trust issue stemming from the impeachment probe.