WASHINGTON, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday conceded that Democratic lawmakers in the House have enough votes to pass a resolution calling for his impeachment, but he believed the Senate will stand by him in a potential trial.
"So the Democrats, unfortunately, they have the votes," Trump said when speaking to reporters outside the White House. "They can vote very easily, even though most of them, many of them, don't believe they should do it."
The impeachment inquiry, announced by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Sept. 24, stemmed from a whistleblower complaint alleging that Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a July 25 phone call to investigate Joe Biden, Democratic presidential candidate for the 2020 election, as well as issues related to alleged Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Once the Democratic-controlled House passed articles of impeachment against the president, the Senate will have to hold a trial.
Trump told reporters that he believed the Senate will side with him if a trial happened. "We have a great relationship in the Senate," he said. "I believe the Senate -- and I haven't spoken to that many senators -- but I believe the senators look at this as a hoax."
The president reiterated once again that there was no quid pro quo in his phone call with Zelensky.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in an interview with CNBC on Monday that his chamber would have "no choice" but to hold the trial if articles of impeachment were sent to the Senate floor.
"Well, under the Senate rules we are required to take it up, if the House does go down that path, and we will follow the Senate rules," the Kentucky Republican said.
In a new campaign ad posted on Facebook, McConnell spoke directly in front of a camera and rallied support for stopping the impeachment.
"Nancy Pelosi is in the clutches of a left-wing mob," he said. "They've finally convinced her to impeach the President. All of you know your Constitution. The way that impeachment stops is a Senate majority, with me as majority leader."
"But I need your help," the top Senate Republican added. "Please contribute before the deadline."
