Donald Trump says he wants impeachment trial as he lashes out in 53-minute Fox News rant
- Embattled US president airs long, occasionally incoherent list of grievances against FBI, political opponents, the ‘deep state’ and more
- After days of damaging testimony, Trump claims he ‘hardly knows’ some witnesses in inquiry, while defending his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani
An irate Donald Trump said on Friday that he welcomes the prospect of an impeachment trial, as the US leader lashed out at “crazy” and “corrupt” opponents probing potential abuse of presidential power.
After a week of dramatic impeachment testimony from current and former administration officials, an embattled Trump took to a favourite broadcaster to air a long, occasionally incoherent list of grievances – against the FBI, his political adversaries, impeachment inquiry leaders, the “deep state,” and more.
“These people are sick,” Trump raged down the telephone line to Fox at the start of a 53-minute tirade that showed how angered and unsettled he has been by an impeachment inquiry that threatens his presidency.
Multiple witnesses, in often damning testimony under oath, buttressed charges the president conditioned much-needed military aid and a coveted White House meeting on Ukraine investigating his political rivals.
But with many Republicans seemingly unmoved, Trump bashed the testimony as “total nonsense” and said he relished the chance to defend himself.