The GAO said the US Constitution does not grant a president authority to unilaterally withhold funds, as Trump did. It is only the third impeachment trial in US history and no president has been removed as a direct result of the process. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the GAO report bolstered Democrats' argument that the Senate trial should include new evidence and hear from witnesses. Schiff indicated that the House prosecutors may call Lev Parnas, an associate of Trump's personal lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, if the Senate permits testimony in the trial. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump repeated his assertion that he did not know Parnas.

Source: bd News24 January 16, 2020 23:48 UTC