Headlines for December 16, 2019

On Capitol Hill, the House Judiciary Committee has released its report explaining its decision to charge President Trump with two articles of impeachment for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The 658-page report released this morning details Trump’s efforts to withhold military aid in order to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden. On Wednesday, the full Democratic-controlled House is expected to vote to impeach President Trump, sending the charges to the Republican-controlled Senate, which will then hold a trial on whether to remove Trump from office.

On Sunday, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer proposed terms for an evidentiary trial that would start on January 7 and go beyond the investigation conducted by the House. Witnesses who could be called to testify include former national security adviser John Bolton and acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney.

This comes as top Republican senators face calls to recuse themselves from Trump’s impeachment trial. Late last week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell told Fox News he was “taking my cues” from the White House. And on Sunday Republican Senator Lindsey Graham was questioned by “Face the Nation” host Margaret Brennan about coordinating with the White House on impeachment.

Margaret Brennan: “Should Republicans in the Senate really be taking their marching orders from the person being investigated?”

Sen. Lindsey Graham: “You know, I understand the president’s frustration, but I think what’s best for the country is to get — get this thing over with. I am clearly made up my mind. I’m not trying to hide the fact that I have disdain for the accusations in the process.”

We’ll have more on Trump’s impeachment later in the broadcast with Ralph Nader, longtime consumer advocate, corporate critic and former presidential candidate.