Washington — President Trump’s lawyers had their first chance to defend the president on Saturday after three days of Democrats’ opening arguments. In opening arguments, Mr. Trump’s attorneys gave what appeared to be a two-hour preview of what is expected to be a vigorous defense.
“We don’t believe that they have come anywhere close to meeting their burden for what they’re asking you to do,” White House counsel Pat Cipollone said about the House impeachment managers’ opening arguments this week.
Mr. Trump’s attorneys continued to use the defense that Democrats are trying to overturn the 2016 election. Cipollone also continued to reference the “transcript” of the July 25 call between Mr. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, although no verbatim transcript has been released, just a summary.
Mr. Trump’s attorneys will continue their arguments on Monday. The question about whether witnesses will be called has not yet been answered.
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