Trump news – live: Ex-president could lose Mar-a-Lago home as impeachment trial opens

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Tom Embury-Dennis,James Crump,Oliver O'Connell and Graeme Massie
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(AFP via Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

Charles J Cooper, a prominent conservative lawyer, has trashed Donald Trump's defence that trying him for impeachment is unconstitutional, just hours before his trial begins.

This went against arguments made by top Republicans and Mr Trump's lawyers over the last month, who claimed that it is unconstitutional to try Mr Trump, as the penalty for impeachment conviction is being removed from office.

In their response to the charges Mr Trump's legal team also argue that he is protected by the first amendment. House Democrats replied to the official legal response from the Trump team denying all of their points and accusing Mr Trump of committing the "most grievous constitutional crime ever".

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