- Two Democrats joined every Republican

to vote against setting up ground rules

for public impeachment hearings.

The vote formalizes the process

as both sides dig in for a brawl.

Appearing on late night TV,

House Speaker Nancy Pelosisays she's defending democracy.

- The most important thingfor the American people

to realize and understandis no one is above the law.

- [Jennifer] Under rulesapproved by Democrats

for public impeachment hearings,

the Intelligence Committeewill release transcripts

of those interviews it's been conducting

behind closed doors.

Republicans can issuesubpoenas for witnesses,

but only if Democrats approve them.

Republicans cried fowl;the president tweeting:

"Read the transcript!"

and "The greatest witchhunt in American history!"

- I was in an impeachment deposition,

but then had to leavethat to come to the floor

for a vote on the rules for impeachment.

- [Jennifer] The House votecomes days after the president

met with his evangelical advisoryboard at the White House.

- We basically told him, you know,

"Mr. President, you fight well alone,

"but you're not gonnahave to fight well alone,

"because we're gonna bestanding right there with you

"every step of the way" becausewe don't actually believe

this is about President Trump at all.

This is about his agenda,and so I remember distinctly

several of the leaders in the room saying,

"Listen, you're actually impeaching us,

"that's what you're doing."

(gavel banging)

- [Jennifer] As drama playedout in the House Chamber,

Tim Morrison, a top official

on the president'sNational Security Council,

testified that he was not concerned

anything illegal was discussed

on Trump's call withthe Ukrainian president.

- I make no prejudgmentas to whether that remedy

will be warranted whenwe finish these hearings.

I will wait until all thefacts are put forward.

- They really want to undo 2016,

and if they can't do that,they don't want Donald Trump

at the top of the ballot.

- Democrats want to begin public hearings

in just a few weeks, so stay tuned

for what's likely to be must-see TV.

Jennifer Wishon, CBN News, Washington.