Trump defenders push ‘no crime’ as Democrats seek removal

(AP) President Donald Trump’s defenders are arguing that his pressure on Ukraine broke no U.S. law, and so wasn’t impeachable in the first place. The House Democrats who are prosecuting the president on abuse and obstruction charges say that, constitutionally, there need be no crime as defined in the criminal code.

Before the arguments begin at the trial to open in earnest Tuesday, a fight is expected over the structure of the trial.

Trump denies the charges and has cast himself as a victim of Democrats who want to overturn his election.