As the lawmakers of the United States Senate were sworn in on Thursday, thus formally signalling the beginning of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, the US President predicted that the process would be over quickly.
"I think it should go very quickly," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. "It's totally partisan… It's a hoax. It's a hoax and everybody knows it's a complete hoax."
The 100 lawmakers of the Senate were sworn in by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts, who administered the oath to the senators to "do impartial justice".
The trial is scheduled to begin on January 21 and will decide whether Trump should be removed from office over charges brought by the House of Representatives.
Trump has been accused of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The articles of impeachment were read out on the floor of the Senate by Democratic congressman and lead prosecutor Adam Schiff. Schiff is one of seven impeachment managers who will make the case against the president.
It would take a two-thirds majority in the Senate to remove the president from office and since the Republicans control the senate, Trump is widely expected to be acquitted.
