TRUMP IMPEACHMENT: Devin Nunes Opening Statement

In a pillared House chamber at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, in the shadow of the 2020 presidential and congressional elections, House Democrats are set to host the first public hearing involving the potential impeachment of a president since November 19, 1998 -- and, they insist, they aren't happy about it.

"It’s a sad day," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, told Fox News on Tuesday. "A calm day. A prayerful day." For his part, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, D-Calif., called the hearings a "solemn undertaking" in a letter to colleagues.

Behind the scenes, House Democrats were predicting a "phenomenal week," Fox News is told. At the same time, Republicans have been preparing a methodical and vigorous cross-examination of Democrats' witnesses, whose accounts of President Trump's alleged wrongdoing have been based largely on hearsay and intuition.

Capitol Hill security officials told Fox News they're not anticipating the kinds of organized protests that rocked the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Brett Kavanaugh last year, but sources on both sides of the aisle have cautioned that the day will be unpredictable. The proceedings are to be held in the cavernous House Ways and Means Committee hearing room at the Longworth House Office Building.

With the bang of a gavel, Schiff will open the impeachment hearings Wednesday into Trump's alleged pressure on Ukraine to investigate 2020 presidential candidate Joe Biden's dealings in the country. The former vice president, a Democrat, has boasted about pressuring Ukraine to fire its top prosecutor, as his son Hunter Biden held a lucrative role board of a Ukrainian natural gas company despite having little relevant expertise.

A whistleblower's complaint about Trump's July 25 telephone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ignited the impeachment investigation. During the hearing Wednesday, a key exchange during that 30-minute call, which has been outlined in a Sept. 24 transcript released by the White House, could take center stage. Zelensky has said he felt no pressure during the call.

"I would like you to do us a favor though," Trump said at one point in the call, after a mention of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Ukraine apparently was not aware that the U.S. was withholding new military aid until August, approximately two weeks before the U.S. ultimately released the aid and well after Trump's phone call with Zelensky.

[maryannweldin]

Rep.Nunes thank you for your wonderful opening statements. Every word was the truth and now it’s in the record.

[Edwin.Fernando-gn]

Devine Nunes is a courageous and honest man, very straight forward remarks greatly appreciated!

[haimlevy]

Thank you Devin Nuñez !! May God grant you wisdom and guidance to fight the evil around you.

[mervschetter]

After this BS! I will never vote for the Dems. again! ever.

[wainboomer]

Nunes and Jordan, excellent, and speak the truth.

[wilmagarcia]

Nunes tell them the truth! Great American Patriot standing up for Americans!🇺🇸🇺🇸

[egderegor]

Military should come in and arrest all involved in coup.

[executivetravelofnashville]

Way to go Devin. Thanks for bringing clarity to a staged hoax from these angry hoaxers

[judithmctaggart]

I have been an Independent. Watching this Democrat Inquisition, I will be voting a straight Republican ticket. I have never done that before. I bought coffee for 3 Russian woman, I met in Trondheim. We discussed our countries, politics and politicians. I suppose I am now guilty of colluding. This Kabuki Theater is pathetic. To hear Schiff, quote a founding father, regarding keeping our Republic, was nauseating. They are tearing this country apart.

[daughterofpatriots]

Go Devin❤️🇺🇸 truth is so refreshing in a sea of lies.

[HS-zqcc]

Great opening statement by Nunes...The Swamp will be revealed, and drained...

[oksam]

Nunes perfect speech! A straight honest man! This is the America I honour!

[dcreighton]

HELL YEAH!!!! GO GET THEM NUNEZ 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 TRUMP 2020

[jerrywtf]

Schiff has got to go . INVESTIGATE follow the money

[josephdibiase]

Nunes is the best at driving home a point and painting a picture of this sham of a hearing

[arevalosole]

I'm saving this video, just to watch it when I'm bored. Nunes is a Boss

[travisl]

Lol! Here we go let the clown show begin. If the government from the inside goes against someone and tries to silence them. Chances are you're doing something right and standing up for truth. Trump 2020

[joebruno]

He’s not a whistleblower, he’s a traitor who needs to be dealt with

[kenyonwells]

Yay Nunes! California does not deserve you, sir!
"Low rent Unkranian sequel" PRICELESS!!!

[timothyprice]

The ONLY credible, honest, truthful, factual & worth viewing portion of the entire theater production is Devin Nunes giving his opening statement.