Donald Trump’s impeachment is going public – but do everyday Americans care?

Things have changed a lot since Watergate – will the hearings capture the nation’s attention this time around?

Officials are sworn in to the first public impeachment hearing on Wednesday morning (AFP/Getty)

This week the impeachment hearings against Donald Trump go public.

After weeks of evidence behind closed doors, congress is allowing in television cameras to show witnesses being grilled by Democrats desperate to force the president from office, and Republicans prepared to do almost anything to protect him.

Adam Schiff, the California congressman leading the attack, has been clear about what he thinks the purpose of this new phase is: “Those open hearings will be an opportunity for the American people to evaluate the witnesses for themselves, but also to learn first-hand about the facts of the president’s misconduct.”