Trump ally in Senate introduces resolution condemning Democratic-led impeachment inquiry

WASHINGTON - Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced a resolution on Thursday condemning a Democratic-led impeachment inquiry against US President Donald Trump.

A Trump ally, the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Graham tweeted that the resolution has more than 40 cosponsors, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Graham called the current proceedings "illegitimate and dangerous," while urging the House to vote to initiate a formal impeachment inquiry, provide Trump with what he called "due process," and allow Republicans to fully participate.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the initiation of a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump on Sept. 24 over the president's conduct during a controversial phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 25.

Pelosi had insisted that a full House vote is unnecessary under House rules.

The impeachment inquiry was prompted by a whistleblower complaint filed in late August alleging that Trump pressured Zelensky to investigate Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, whom Trump accused of involvement in a corruption case in Ukraine.

The White House had said that they would not provide documents or witnesses to impeachment investigators because it considers the investigation to be unfair and illegitimate.

Trump had denied any wrongdoing and had urged more efforts from Republicans to defend him and challenge the impeachment inquiry.

The resolution came a day after dozens of Republicans stormed a closed-door hearing for a Pentagon official as part of the impeachment inquiry.