Stephen Colbert criticises Trump’s ‘absolutely bonkers’ refusal to participate in impeachment inquiry

‘You can’t just not participate in your own impeachment!’ comedian joked

Stephen Colbert has condemned Donald Trump’s refusal to participate in his own impeachment inquiry as “absolutely bonkers”.

On his US talk show, Colbert quoted verbatim from what he called the White House’s “officially bitchy and eight-page” letter claiming that the impeachment investigation was “illegitimate” and “unconstitutional”.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait,” Colbert responded. “You can’t just not participate in your own impeachment!”

“Don’t get him wrong, Trump would like to help with the inquiry into his conversations with Ukraine,” Colbert said. “But tragically, he has developed phone spurs.”

Colbert’s joke referenced Trump’s often-mocked reasoning for his deferment from the Vietnam draft, in that he had “bone spurs” in his feet.

“The letter is full of absolutely bonkers arguments,” Colbert continued, noting that the White House claims that the investigation refuses Trump the right to cross-examine witnesses.

“The witness is Trump’s incriminating phone transcript, which he released!” Colbert exclaimed. “If he wanted to, he could cross-examine himself.”

Impersonating Trump speaking to himself, Colbert played out a theoretical scene: “‘Where was I on the night of the phone call?’ ‘I was on the phone!’ ‘Ah-ha! Well, let me ask you this. If that’s the case, did you get any dirt on Joe Biden?’”

Trump’s refusal to cooperate with the impeachment inquiry prompted House speaker Nancy Pelosi to hit back earlier today, reminding the president: “You are not above the law. You will be held accountable.”