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Trump news: House panel votes to advance impeachment articles as president announces US-China trade deal

President Donald Trump, flanked by first lady Melania Trump, speaks in the Grand Foyer of the White House during the Congressional Ball on 12 December 2019: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP
President Donald Trump, flanked by first lady Melania Trump, speaks in the Grand Foyer of the White House during the Congressional Ball on 12 December 2019: Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP

The House Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to support articles of impeachment against Donald Trump on Friday after an abrupt end to Thursday’s 12-hour marathon debate over their merits, a session characterised by Republican stalling and heated protestations.

Following the votes, the president announced a trade deal between the US and China will begin lifting tariffs on Chinese goods by 15 December — a deal he previously said wasn't likely until after the next election.

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell meanwhile gave an interview to Sean Hannity on Fox News yesterday evening and pledged “total co-ordination” between GOP senators and the White House should a trial take place in January, raising fresh concerns about impartiality.

President Trump himself has congratulated British prime minister Boris Johnson over his party’s landslide win in the UK general election on a record-breaking day of tweets and his hosting of the Christmas Congressional Ball at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Meanwhile, Democrats on the 2020 campaign trail have rallied behind union workers at Loyola University in California ahead of next week's debate there.

That solidarity was first expressed by Elizabeth Warren, who said she would not cross a picket line for the debate.

Soon after, virtually every candidate who has qualified for the debate.

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