Pushing ahead with articles of impeachment, the House Judiciary Committee convenes Monday to formally receive the investigative findings against President Donald Trump as the White House mounts an aggressive attack on the proceedings.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler says he expects the committee to vote soon on charges against Trump that will likely focus on abuse of power on Ukraine and obstruction in the congressional inquiry.
He sent a letter to the White House late Sunday with documents supporting Democrats' case. If the Judiciary Committee approves articles of impeachment by Friday that would set up a final impeachment vote in the days before Christmas.
After a demonstrator was escorted out, Nadler told fellow lawmakers he was obligated to investigate President Trump because he has broken his oath of office.
“The evidence shows that Donald J. Trump, the President of the United States, has put himself before his country,” Rep. Nadler (D-NY).
But the committee’s ranking Republican, again argued the entire proceeding is politically motivated.
“They can’t get over the fact that Donald Trump is the President of the U.S. and they don’t have a candidate they think can beat him,” Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA).
The hearing will feature testimony from Democratic and Republican counsels for the House Intelligence Committee and the House Judiciary Committee, who will be making the case for or against impeachment. The counsels will present evidence gathered from weeks of hearings by the Intelligence and Judiciary Committees.
On Friday, White House counsel Pat Cipollone sent a letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler attacking the Democrats' impeachment inquiry and said that the White House has opted not to participate in any Judiciary Committee impeachment hearings.
On Thursday, Pelosi called on Democratic committee chairs to draft articles of impeachment against Trump.
"Sadly, but with confidence and humility, with allegiance to our founders, and a heart full of love for America, today I am asking our chairmen to proceed with articles of impeachment," Pelosi said.
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(CBS News contributed to this report.)
