Donald Trump impeachment: Day one of historic trial begins in Washington

One of Donald Trump's rivals has lashed out during the impeachment trial, deeming today's events a "national disgrace". 

US President Donald Trump’s historic impeachment trial started in Washington today.

The president is accused of breaking the law by asking Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy to interfere in the upcoming US presidential election.

The Democrats claim Mr Trump tried to pressure Mr Zelenskiy into helping dig up dirt on his potential 2020 rival, former vice-president Joe Biden, by withholding millions of dollars in critical funding to the Ukraine, and then tried to thwart a congressional probe into his behaviour.

But Mr Trump insists he did nothing wrong and is almost certain to be acquitted because of the 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate.

It’s just the third time an American president has endured an impeachment trial.

Follow our live, rolling coverage below.