Impeachment vote likely on December 18 as Trump cries foul

Minutes after US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Democrat-California) announced that the legislative chamber would convene on December 18 to debate and then vote on the articles of impeachment, President Donald Trump accused her of pursuing an attempted "coup" that is "subverting America's democracy."

In a six-page letter released on December 17, Trump told Pelosi that "history will judge you harshly."

The letter was released as the House Rules Committee approved legislation that provides for six hours of debate, followed by final votes on two articles of impeachment -- formal charges -- against Trump.

Pelosi said in her letter that impeachment was "one of the most solemn powers granted to us by the Constitution," while urging all Democratic members of the House to be present.

Trump faces one charge of abuse of power and another on obstruction of Congress over efforts to prod Ukraine to investigate his political rivals, including former Vice President Joe Biden, while withholding $391 million in military assistance to Kyiv.

Based on AP, Reuters, AFP, RFERL and dpa