The battle between Democrats and President Donald Trump moved into the open as the public impeachments hearings are now underway.
Wednesday morning’s hearings included testimony from William B. Taylor Jr., the acting ambassador to Ukraine, and George Kent, the deputy assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., offered his opening remarks.
“The matter is as simple, and as terrible, as that,” Schiff said.
“Our answer to these questions will affect not only the future of this presidency, but the future of the presidency itself, and what kind of conduct or misconduct the American people may come to expect from their commander in chief,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., portrayed the inquiry as a way for Democrats to attack the president.
“Anyone familiar with the Democrats’ scorched-earth war against President Trump would not be surprised to see all the typical signs that this is a carefully orchestrated media smear campaign,” he said.
This article will be updated throughout the day.
Kent’s testimony and Taylor’s testimony:
The opening remarks:
Deseret News reporter Matthew Brown is at the hearings, sharing his thoughts on Twitter.