Washington: The Republican-controlled Senate has rejected a Democratic bid to force the White House to produce documents and evidence in a sign the third impeachment trial in US history could proceed favourably for President Donald Trump.

In this image from video, impeachment manager Representative Adam Schiff speaks against the organising resolution for the trial against President Donald Trump in the Senate at the US Capitol in Washington. Credit:AP

As the impeachment trial began in earnest on Tuesday, senators voted 53-47 along party lines to block a motion from Democratic leader Chuck Schumer to subpoena White House documents related to Trump's dealings with Ukraine.

On the first day of the trial, Trump's chief legal defender attacked the case as baseless and a top Democratic lawmaker said there was "overwhelming" evidence of wrongdoing.

Democrats have called on the Republican-controlled Senate to remove Trump from office for pressuring Ukraine to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden, a political rival, and then impeding the inquiry into the matter.