Trump's legal strategy against impeachment is on shaky constitutional grounds, scholars say

WASHINGTON - Constitutional lawyers said Wednesday that President Donald Trump's vow not to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry is both unprecedented and unlikely to spare him from being formally charged by the House.

In fact, they say, it may only increase the chances that he will be impeached.

The Constitution says the "House of Representatives shall have the sole power of impeachment," and it does not give the president a specific role in the process. A president is in some sense like an ordinary defendant who may be subject to a criminal investigation and an indictment, all without his participation or involvement, scholars say.

"The president's cooperation is not required or needed," said University of North