Democrats were to present opening arguments in the Senate impeachment trial of Donald Trump on Wednesday after a day of strict party line votes on ground rules that foreshadowed the president's likely acquittal.
Trump, who was attending the World Economic Forum in Davos as the historic trial got underway, blasted the proceedings as a "witchhunt" and a "hoax" and said he expected the Republican-majority Senate to clear him "fairly quickly."
"John, he knows some of my thoughts," Trump said. "He knows what I think about leaders. What happens if he reveals what I think about a certain leader and it's not very positive?"
The 100 members of the Senate were to be back at their desks -- sitting silently and without their cellphones -- at 1:00 pm (1800 GMT) as House prosecutors begin formally laying out their case that Trump should be removed from office for "high crimes and misdemeanors."
"They don't want a fair trial," said Adam Schiff, the chief House prosecutor. "If the Senate votes to deprive itself of witnesses and documents, the opening statements will be the end of the trial."
"Those addressing the Senate should remember where they are."