Two impeachment charges against Donald Trump formally unveiled … so what happens now?

Donald Trump stands accused of abusing his power and obstructing Congress in his dealings with Ukraine as the US House of Democrats announced formal charges against him.

The full Democratic-controlled House is set to vote on the charges, or articles of impeachment. If as expected it votes to impeach the president, this would set the stage for a dramatic trial in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Mr Trump has denied wrongdoing and calls the inquiry a hoax, and the White House has refused to participate in the hearings in the House because it says the process is unfair.

But House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said Democrats had to take action because Mr Trump had endangered the US Constitution, undermined the integrity of the 2020 election and jeopardized national security.

Now the Democrats have announced the formal charges against the US leader, here we outline is what will likely happen in coming days and weeks as the process enters a new phase:

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announces articles of impeachment
AFP via Getty Images

Wednesday, December 11

The House Judiciary Committee will meet at 7pm (midnight, UK time) to debate the articles that Democrats have brought forward and vote on whether to recommend them to the full House of Representatives for a final impeachment vote.

The week of December 15

The House would be expected to vote on the charges, possibly after holding a daylong debate that could involve all 431 of its current legislators.

If the full House voted to approve the articles, Mr Trump would become only the third president in US history to be impeached.

He would remain in office, however, pending a trial in the Senate.

Nancy Pelosi and Jerrold Nadler
REUTERS

If the impeachment is approved, the House would select lawmakers known as managers to present the case against Mr Trump at a Senate trial.

House Democrats have said most of the managers are likely to come from the Judiciary Committee, and possibly from the Intelligence Committee that led the investigation.

Early January

Mr Trump would face a trial in the Senate to determine whether he should be convicted and ousted from office.

The Senate is controlled by Mr Trump's fellow Republicans, who have shown little sign they will find him guilty.

US President Donald Trump
AFP via Getty Images

A two-thirds majority of those present in the 100-member chamber would be needed to convict the president.

US Chief Justice John Roberts would preside over the trial, House managers would present their case against Trump and the president's legal team would respond, with the senators acting as jurors.

A trial could involve testimony from witnesses and a gruelling schedule in which proceedings occur six days a week for as many as six weeks.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said a majority of the Senate could go with a shorter option by voting on the articles of impeachment after opening arguments, without witnesses.

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