Trump demands immediate impeachment trial

US President Donald Trump has called for an “immediate” Senate impeachment trial as Democrats and Republicans reached an impasse over when it should start.

Trump has to face a trial after he was impeached by the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The two charges agreed follow accusations the president pressured Ukraine to dig up damaging information on Democratic rival Joe Biden and his son Hunter, and then refused to co-operate with a congressional inquiry into the matter.

Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic House speaker, refused to reveal on Thursday when she would send the articles of impeachment to the Senate, which is required for a trial in what was seen as a move to pressure Republicans into accepting Democrat demands.

The Democrats want White House official who were witnesses to be called at the trial after having refused to do so before the impeachment.

“So after the Democrats gave me no Due Process in the House, no lawyers, no witnesses, no nothing, they now want to tell the Senate how to run their trial,” Trump tweeted. “Actually, they have zero proof of anything, they will never even show up. They want out. I want an immediate trial!”

Pelosi was asked if she was concerned that a delay would spark criticism that the Democrats were playing games, to which she responded: “I don’t care what the Republicans say.”

Trump also tweeted about Pelosi saying: “Pelosi feels her phoney impeachment HOAX is so pathetic she is afraid to present it to the Senate, which can set a date and put this whole SCAM into default if they refuse to show up!”

The Senate's numbers mean Trump is almost certain to be acquitted, especially since the process has been divided almost totally along party lines.