DON IN THE DUMPS
Donald Trump’s approval rating hits record low amid Republican fury over Syria pullout and impeachment probe
DONALD Trump's approval rating has sunk to a new low amid fury from Republicans for pulling US troops out of Syria and fallout from the impeachment probe.
Only 38 per cent of voters polled approve of the US President and 58 per cent disapprove, according to a survey from Quinnipac University.
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Furthermore, support for the impeachment inquiry into Mr Trump soared to a new high of 55 per cent.
surveyed 1,587 people between October 17 and 21.
Mr Trump compared the impeachment inquiry to a "lynching" in a tweet, sparking outrage from Black Democrats and celebrities.
Nancy Pelosi launched the inquiry on September 24 after it was alleged that Mr Trump asked the Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden and his son.
In the recent tweet, Mr Trump claimed there was not "due process or fairness or any legal rights" during their attempted impeachment.
He added: "All Republicans must remember what they are witnessing here - a lynching. But we will WIN!"
Some lawmakers claimed the comment was racially charged, as it evoked painful memories of the the Ku Klux Klan lynch mobs.
Illinois Democrat Bobby Rush tweeted: "You think this impeachment is a LYNCHING? What the hell is wrong with you?
"Do you know how many people who look like me have been lynched, since the inception of this country, by people who look like you. Delete this tweet."
'IT'S DESPICABLE'
Singer John Legend also didn't hold back his opinion of Mr Trump's controversial tweet.
He said during talk at Vanity Fair's 6th Annual New Establishment Summit in Beverly Hills: "[Lynching] is the exact opposite of what impeachment is. Impeachment is laid out in the Constitution,' explained the singer.
"There’s nothing extra-legal about this process.
"He contrasts [impeachment] with what lynching was, nasty and evil. Driven by hate, fear, mob mentality. It’s despicable."
Yesterday, Republicans stormed a closed-door meeting about Mr Trump's impeachment.
The interruption from up to 30 members of the House Republicans led to proceedings being cancelled.
The standoff happened after they accused the House Democrats of a "lack of transparency,"; reported.
At the beginning of the month, Mr Trump ordered all US troops to withdraw from North East Syria to avoid a bloody conflict between Turkey and US-backed Kurdish fighters.
The decision has sparked a backlash among Republican members who expressed fears it would be opening the door to the resurgence of ISIS.
The President should not have done what he did. He's opened up a huge can of worms. Now, we've opened up the day for Turkey, Russia and even Iran to take control over Syria. I'm really sad that this happened.
Florida Republican Representative Francis Rooney
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said last week: "I know I speak for many of our colleagues on both sides of the aisle in expressing my grave concern at the events that have unfolded in Syria in recent days.
"Turkey's escalation of hostilities with the Syrian Kurdish partners who have helped the United States fight terrorism is completely unacceptable. This violence needs to end."
"The United States has taken the fight to Syria and Afghanistan because that is where our enemies are.
"Fighting terrorists, exercising leadership in troubled regions, and advancing US interests around the world does not make us an evil empire or the world's policeman. It makes us a prudent and responsible world power that stands up for our own security and the freedom of others."
Florida Republican Representative Francis Rooney branded Mr Trump's decision as a "huge mistake".
He told : "The President should not have done what he did. He's opened up a huge can of worms. Now, we've opened up the day for Turkey, Russia and even Iran to take control over Syria. I'm really sad that this happened."
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"It never should've happened. We never should've given Turkey the opening."
Last night, Mr Trump claimed the US had saved the lives of “thousands” of people in Syria in a rousing speech to his supporters last night.
The President declared the US was no longer fighting other peoples' wars and took credit for the ceasefire brokered between Russia and Turkey earlier this week.
What is impeachment and how does it work?
In the US, impeachment is a formal charge of serious wrongdoing against the holder of public office.
It is one of the few ways a sitting President can be kicked out of the White House before an election.
The US Constitution states a President "shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanours".
The "sole power of impeachment" is held by the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Congress.
A simple majority is required - i.e. more than half of Congressmen must vote to impeach the President.
Then the case would be tried by the Senate, the upper chamber of Congress, where a two-thirds majority is needed.
Republicans storm Trump impeachment meeting being held behind closed doors and refuse to leave in protest over 'lack of transparency'
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