"} 67:{"position":12,"content":"

Meanwhile, members of the House Rules Committee met on Tuesday over the rules for the debate before the vote set for Wednesday by the full House, which is expected to result in Trump becoming the third US president to be impeached.

"} 68:{"position":13,"content":"

No president has ever been removed from office via the impeachment process set out in the Constitution.

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Earlier, McConnell brushed aside a Democratic request to call four current or former White House officials as witnesses in the Senate impeachment trial expected next month, again making clear that he expects senators not to remove Trump from office.

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In dueling speeches on the Senate floor, McConnell said he would not allow a "fishing expedition" after a "slapdash" House impeachment process, while Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said a trial without witnesses would be a "sham" and suggested Trump's fellow Republicans favored a cover-up.

"} 6b:{"position":16,"content":"

While McConnell said on the floor it was the Senate's role simply to act as a "judge and jury," he later told reporters that he is not "an impartial juror."

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"This is a political process. There is not anything judicial about it," he said. "Impeachment is a political decision."

"} 6d:{"position":18,"content":"

Schumer said he was "utterly amazed" by McConnell's remark. He had said he wants the trial to consider documents and hear testimony from four witnesses: former national security adviser John Bolton, acting White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney, Mulvaney aide Robert Blair and budget official Michael Duffey. Schumer has argued that such testimony could sway Republicans in favor of removing Trump.

"} 6e:{"position":19,"content":"

Trump has refused to cooperate with the House impeachment process and ordered current and former off

Trump accuses Democrats of 'attempted coup' on eve of impeachment vote