WASHINGTON – Two key witnesses spent over five hours testifying in front of, not only Congress, but the entire nation Wednesday for the first public impeachment inquiry hearing into President Donald Trump.

The question revolves around whether the president abused his power by withholding aid to a foreign country in exchange for personal gain. 

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Democrats believe this day successfully laid the groundwork for their impeachment case, while Republicans argue the case has no more than second and third-hand knowledge of allegations against the president. 

The hearings garnered plenty of attention on Capitol Hill with a crowded hearing room and a massive line outside that stretched down the hall, with people waiting to get into the hearing.

Caitlynn Valdivia of Ventura County said she wanted to be a witness of history in the making. 

“It’s a landmark day,” said Valdivia. “Really historic moment in DC and I really don’t know when I’m going to be back in DC so I really want to just take advantage of my time here.”

Valdivia was sixth in line, amongst hundreds of others who got up early to be a part of the momentous day. Even some protestors made their mark outside the hearing room, calling for the president to leave the Oval Office.

Inside the hearing room, U.S. diplomat to Ukraine Bill Taylor and Deputy Secretary of State George Kent swore, to tell the truth, reiterated their partisan views. They testified to say the July 25 phone call gave “cause for concern,” and that it was “concerning” the president was withholding aid to Ukraine for an investigation into Democrats. 

Taylor made clear he was only there to speak his views on the Ukraine matter and that ultimately it would be up to the House Judiciary Committee, which Congressman Lou Correa sits on, to decide if the president’s actions are impeachable. 

“We’re living in historic times,” said Correa. “As a Congress member, I have never seen an impeachment in my life time, so to speak.”

Not while Correa was in Congress, at least. The last time Washington saw an impeachment proceeding was 1998 with President Bill Clinton and now the nation’s Capitol is experiencing it all over again.

“Of course it’s not necessary to have them public,” said Valdivia. “That’s not something that’s in the Constitution but I think it’s nice to involve the public. So, I think this will set a good precedent for the rest of the conversation.”

Former Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch is set to testify this Friday and several more witnesses next week, including the U.S. Ambassador to the EU Gordon Sondland who Democrats and Republicans are still using in their arguments in the impeachment proceedings.