US President Donald Trump Impeached By Democrats-Controlled House Of Representatives, Will Now Face Senate Trial

United States President Donald Trump has become the third head of state in country’s history to be impeached by the House of Representatives, the lower house of the American Congress.

Trump was impeached on two charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress by the Democrats-controlled house in a partisan voting with overwhelming majority of Republicans voting against it.

After being impeached by the House, a trial will now be set up in the Republicans-controlled Senate that will decide whether the President remains in office.

The proceedings on Wednesday began with members of Mr Trump's Republican Party calling for votes on procedural issues in an effort to frustrate the process.

That was followed by a vote on the rules to be set out for the impeachment, which kicked off six hours of partisan debate on the merits of the two impeachment charges against President Trump.

The first of two articles of impeachment - accusing the President of abuse of power - was approved by a vote of 230-197 on Wednesday (18 December).

Two Democrats voted against adopting the article, while one of the candidates seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Trump in 2020, Hawaii Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, voted "present".

The second article of impeachment - accusing Trump of obstructing Congress - was approved by a vote of 229-198, reports BBC News.

Trump is only the third US President to be impeached after Andrew Johnson (in the 19th century) and Bill Clinton - 21 years ago - both were impeached by the House and acquitted by the Senate, while Richard Nixon resigned in 1974 before the lower house could vote on his impeachment.

(With inputs from IANS)