1/ Trump’s legal team called on the Senate to “swiftly reject� the “flimsy� impeachment charges against Trump and that he “should immediately be acquitted� because of a “rigged process� by House Democrats. In a 110-page brief submitted to the Senate the day before Trump’s trial begins, Trump’s lawyer dismissed the two articles of impeachment – abuse of power and obstruction of Congress – against Trump as a “charade� that is “frivolous and dangerous,� claiming the charges are “constitutionally invalid� and “deficient on their face� because they don’t involve any violations of law. The legal team maintained that Trump did “absolutely nothing wrong� and is the victim of a “brazenly political act by House Democrats.� The brief came after the seven House managers argued that Trump’s behavior amounted to “the Framers’ worst nightmare� and that his actions present a “danger to our democratic processes.� (New York Times / Washington Post / Wall Street Journal / NBC News / Politico / Associated Press / Bloomberg / Axios / CNN)

👉 The Senate impeachment trial is set to begin tomorrow with Republicans and Democrats setting the rules for the trial. The trial will start Tuesday at 1 p.m. ET, running six days a week, and ending daily between 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. ET. (CNN)

Mitch McConnell is preparing a resolution that would give Trump’s lawyers the option to move to dismiss the impeachment charges. However, Republican Senate leaders – including McConnell – have already said members aren’t interested in a vote to dismiss. (Axios)

READ: The 110-page legal brief outlining Trump’s defense ahead of his impeachment trial in the Senate. (NBC News)

2/ House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff accused the White House of pressuring the NSA and CIA of withholding documents about Ukraine from Congress. “The NSA in particular is withholding what are potentially relevant documents to our oversight responsibilities on Ukraine, but also withholding documents potentially relevant that the senators might want to see during the trial,� Schiff said, adding that there “are signs that the CIA may be on the same tragic course.� An Intelligence Committee official later confirmed that “Both the NSA and CIA initially pledged cooperation, and it appears now that the White House has interceded before production of documents could begin.� (