Democrats’ top priority as they open the first public hearing of the impeachment inquiry into President Trump is to keep it serious and straightforward, but also engaging. They want to prevent Republicans from permanently branding the inquiry as a partisan sham or inquisition of the president. They are the first in what will be a series of public hearings over the next two weeks at least. Democrats on Tuesday announced five hearings next week with eight witnesses, some of whom were requested by Republicans. Schiff’s task is to conduct the fact-finding of the investigation and hold public hearings to tell the story to the American public.

Source: Los Angeles Times November 13, 2019 01:05 UTC