Trump news – live: Pelosi warns of impeachment 'cover-up' as Democratic candidates prepare for debate clash

Donald and Melania Trump attend the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Clemson Tigers and the LSU Tigers at Mercedes Benz Superdome on 13 January 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana: Chris Graythen/Getty
Donald and Melania Trump attend the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Clemson Tigers and the LSU Tigers at Mercedes Benz Superdome on 13 January 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana: Chris Graythen/Getty

Donald Trump has been accused of “engaging in hate speech against an entire religion” after retweeting a meme of senior Democrats Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer in Muslim dress as press secretary Stephanie Grisham explained he posted it to attack the opposition for “almost taking the side of terrorists” in the Iran crisis.

A US cybersecurity firm has meanwhile alleged that Russian military agents successfully hacked Ukrainian gas company Burisma - at the heart of the impeachment inquiry over its ties to Hunter Biden, son of Mr Trump’s leading 2020 opponent Joe Biden - suggesting it attempted to steal emails with a view to again influencing an American presidential election.

On impeachment, Republicans in the Senate appear to be backing down from the idea of dismissing the two articles against the president outright after admitting they do not have the votes to see through such a controversial move.

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