The art(icles) of the impeachment

President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump

Abuse of power. Obstruction of Congress. Today, we’re discussing what the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump mean.

It’s Ashley, and there’s a lot of news to cover. Let’s get right to it.

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Articles on articles of impeachment against Trump

House Democrats unveiled two articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Tuesday: abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Here’s what the articles mean and what happens next:

Why is this happening?

Trump is accused of using the power of his office to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to announce the opening of an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and leveraging congressionally approved military aid to do so.

What do the articles mean?

  • The abuse of power allegation stems from Trump's decision to withhold roughly $400 million of military aid from Ukraine until the country announced an investigation into Biden.

  • The obstruction of Congress article is based on Trump’s lack of cooperation with the impeachment inquiry, including defying subpoenas for documents and testimony.

How did Trump respond?

Trump lashed out at the latest phase of what he called a "WITCH HUNT!" on Twitter shortly after the articles were announced. Trump and his aides claimed he would be vindicated in a Senate trial.

What’s next?

The House Judiciary Committee will vote this week on whether to recommend the articles to the full House. If approved, the House would vote on whether to impeach Trump as early as next week. If approved, the Senate would hold a trial, and it would take a two-thirds majority to remove Trump from office.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declares it a "solemn day" as she and Democratic leaders announce articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Dec. 10.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declares it a "solemn day" as she and Democratic leaders announce articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump on Dec. 10.

6 people killed as gunfire tears through Jersey City

Six people were killed – including a police officer – in a raging gunbattle Tuesday at a cemetery and corner store, forcing the city's schools to lock down and rattling nearby residents. One officer was pronounced dead at a hospital, and three civilians and two gunmen died at a kosher supermarket, police chief Mike Kelly said at a press conference. Authorities said there was no immediate indication of terrorism but did not offer details about how the shooting unfolded. Follow this developing story here.

Police officers were shot while responding to an active shooter in Jersey City, N.J.
Police officers were shot while responding to an active shooter in Jersey City, N.J.

What everyone’s talking about

Who’d you pick to win a rap battle: Eminem or Nick Cannon?

Eminem and Nick Cannon are in a fight. Here’s the TLDR. The war of words exploded Monday when Cannon dropped a diss track he made in response to Eminem's feature on Fat Joe's "Lord Above" last week, where Slim Shady (aka Eminem) alluded to his alleged relationship with Cannon's ex-wife, Mariah Carey. In Cannon’s explicit track, he alleges that Eminem fired his chauffeur for recording a video of the rapper engaging in sexual activities with another man. As one can imagine, things escalated from there.

Eminem and Nick Cannon are beefing.
Eminem and Nick Cannon are beefing.

Real quick

Olympians investigated over sexual abuse allegations

An underage figure skater accused a French Olympian of sending her inappropriate photos and alleged three coaches pressured her into keeping quiet. The U.S. Center for SafeSport opened an investigation into an allegation of sexual abuse of a 13-year-old American female figure skater by French Olympic pairs skater Morgan Cipres, according to the girl, her parents and emails obtained by USA TODAY Sports. In 2017, Cipres allegedly sent two explicit photos to the girl, who skated at the same rink where he did. USA TODAY Sports reviewed those messages, which were sent from what appears to be Cipres’ verified Instagram account.

Morgan Cipres, left, is accused of sending explicit photos to a girl. He refused to talk about the allegation.
Morgan Cipres, left, is accused of sending explicit photos to a girl. He refused to talk about the allegation.

A break from the news

This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jersey City shooting, Trump, impeachment, Roxette: Tuesday's news