Notes in hand, Donald Trump states his case about impeachment

Usually the president exits the White House without papers or paraphernalia in his hands.

'Speak under oath': Democrats invite Trump to testify in impeachment inquiry

Sondland, Trump's ambassador to EU, is among the only people interviewed to date who had direct conversations with the president.

The US President said he watched the second-day public hearing on impeachment against him by the Congressional Committee.

Trump's critics accuse him of withholding almost USD 400 million to Ukraine as leverage to pressure Zelensky to publicly declare probe.

So far only two US Presidents Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton have been impeached but neither of them were convicted by Senate.

Following in the footsteps of previous impeachment inquiries, the next phase will move from closed depositions to open hearings.

The Republican leader faces allegations he abused his office by pushing Ukraine to investigate his political rival Joe Biden.

Trump faces possibility of becoming only the third president ever impeached by Congress, which could lead to his going on trial in Senate.

A more aggressive probe could increase pressure on House Democratic leaders who has resisted impeachment as a politically risky step.

The votes within the Democrats were split, with 95 Democrats voting to table the resolution while the rest voted against it.