Fight Over Rules Opens Impeachment Trial

House managers and attorneys representing President Trump square off over rules, evidence and witnesses as the impeachment trial begins.

WASHINGTON (NBC News) — House managers and attorneys representing the president faced each other on the Senate floor for the first time Tuesday as the impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump began.

The two sides squared off over trial rules, which Democrats say appear to be designed by President Trump.

“By President Trump for President Trump. It asks the Senate to rush through as fast as possible and makes getting evidence as hard as possible,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said.

In the midst of fierce partisanship there was a rare, though modest, compromise. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to give the two sides three days to present their case, instead of two, which would have pushed arguments late into the night.

McConnell still wants separate votes, later, on whether to include evidence gathered in the House impeachment inquiry and whether to allow new witness testimony.

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