thank you, pierre. the impeachment showdown this evening and the president now lashing out after a new poll, this time from fox news. 51% answering that poll now n only be impeached but also removed from office. and tonight, the president's supporters, from republicans on the hill to the president of ukraine, alleiedeask ar, i ais, foreign government, for help investigating a political rival? and the difficulty they face in answering that question. here's our chief white house correspondent jonathan karl. >> reporter: late today, president trump repeatedly defended his decision to ask the president of ukraine to investigate joe biden. >> we had an absolutely perfect conversation. >> reporter: but vulnerable republican senators, like cory facing tough questions. >> do you believe it's appropriate for the president of the united states to ask a foreign leader to investigate a political rival, yes or no? >> well, look, this is what we're going to get into. the senate intelligence committee is having an investigation. >> but the question is, is it appropriate for a president to