Donald Trump rages against impeachment as he describes it 'political suicide march' for Democrats

Donald Trump has described his impeachment as “political suicide march” for the Democrats as he raged against the historic rebuke at a campaign rally.

He took to the stage in Michigan just minutes before he became the third president in the history of the US to be impeached by the House of Representatives.

The president slammed the move, accusing the "radical left in Congress" of being "consumed with envy and hate and rage” as he rallied supporters on Wednesday night.

Speaking as the House passed the two articles of impeachment against him, he told the crowd: “The do-nothing Democrats are declaring their deep hatred and disdain for the American people… This lawless partisan impeachment is a political suicide march for the Democrat party.”

Donald Trump hosts a rally as the House voted on impeachment charges against him
Getty Images

The move in the House of Representatives means the US leader, who was holding a rally at the time of the votes, will now face a Senate trial next month.

Lawmakers approved the first charge, of abuse of power, with 229 votes for to 197 against. The second article, of obstruction of Congress, was later passed by 229 to 198 votes.

In a dramatic split-screen on televisions across the world, Mr Trump emerged from a mock fireplace at the Christmas-themed rally as the debate in Washington was underway.

Nancy Pelosi holds the gavel as House members vote on the second article of impeachment
AP

Aides had said Mr Trump would wait to see the House vote before coming out to address the rally, but he appeared early and promised "the best speech you've ever heard" in a swing state that narrowly voted for him in 2016.

The White House it was confident the US Senate would exonerate the president in the trial.

"Today marks the culmination in the House of one of the most shameful political episodes in the history of our nation. Without receiving a single Republican vote, and without providing any proof of wrongdoing, Democrats pushed illegitimate articles of impeachment against the president through the House of Representatives," White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.

"The president is confident the Senate will restore regular order, fairness, and due process, all of which were ignored in the House proceedings. He is prepared for the next steps and confident that he will be fully exonerated.”

Donald Trump speaks to supporters during the campaign rally
REUTERS

Mr Trump spent much of impeachment day tweeting, expressing fury and disbelief.

"Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the Radical Left, Do Nothing Democrats, AND I DID NOTHING WRONG!" Trump wrote in one of 45 tweets posted before noon.

He asked his followers to "Say a PRAYER!"

As members of the House debated the articles of impeachment, Mr Trump's urgency appeared to escalate as he switched to all capital letters: "SUCH ATROCIOUS LIES BY THE RADICAL LEFT, DO NOTHING DEMOCRATS. THIS IS AN ASSAULT ON AMERICA, AND AN ASSAULT ON THE REPUBLICAN PARTY!!!!" he wrote.

Donald Trump speaks during the Keep America Great Rally in Michigan
AFP via Getty Images

The House considered two articles of impeachment.

The first charges him with abuse of power for allegedly pressuring the president of Ukraine to investigate his Democratic rivals while crucial US security aid was being withheld.

And second charges him with obstruction of Congress for stonewalling investigative efforts.

Serving as a warm-up act for Mr Trump at the rally, Pence labelled the impeachment drive "a disgrace" and told the crowd that Democrats were "trying to impeach this president because they know they can't defeat this president."

He said Pelosi and the Democrats are "having their say tonight, but the Republican Senate is going to have their say in January."

While Democrats have the majority in the House, Republicans control the Senate and expect to acquit the president of the charges in the new year ahead of early state presidential primary voting.

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