How to watch this week's public Trump impeachment hearings

The first in a seriesof public hearings in the impeachment inquiry into whetherU.S. President Donald Trump abused hisoffice's power for personal political gain are set to begin Wednesday, with a second hearing scheduled for Friday.

The impeachment inquiry, led by House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff,focuses on awhistleblower complaint which allegesTrump tried to pressureUkraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyin a July25 phone call to investigate his political rival Joe Biden and his son, Hunter.

• Read more:Your Trump impeachment viewing guide

So far thecharges have beenbroadly substantiated by the testimony of current and former U.S. officials in three weeks of closed-doorshearings. Wednesday is the first time they will be broadcast publicly.

Wednesday's hearings beginat 10 a.m. ET, with live coverage on CBCNews.ca, CBC News Network and CBC Gem.

You can also watch thefullimpeachment hearings live on CBC News YouTube and Twitteraccounts.

Wednesday's public testimonies will include:

• William B. Taylor,former U.S. envoy to Ukraine.
• George Kent,deputy assistant secretary for European and Eurasian affairs.

Friday's hearings will include:

• Marie Yovanovitch, former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine.

Democratic and Republican lawyers will each get up to 45 minutes to question each witness. Committee members from both parties will then have their chance, but for just five minutes.