Rudy Giuliani has known Donald Trump for 30 years. He has long been his loyal defender, going into bat for the president at crucial moments in his presidency. 

This week, he himself became a central protagonist in perhaps the greatest test of Mr Trump’s tenure so far – an impeachment inquiry.

In a lengthy sit-down interview, Mr Giuliani fiercely defended his conduct and that of his long-standing friend.

A whistleblower alleges he was part of the effort to pressure Ukraine to dig for dirt on Mr Trump’s political rival, Joe Biden.

The former mayor of New York rejects he did anything untoward and that it is the former vice-president who committed wrongdoing.

The Ukrainians may deny that – but expect to hear a lot more of that argument levelled in the months to come.

Mr Giuliani casts the impeachment investigation as a partisan sham led by Democrats desperate to oust a man who dashed their chances of leadership in 2016.

Many of Mr Trump’s supporters share that view. You only need to look at the millions of dollars-worth of donations the Trump campaign amassed this week for an “Official Impeachment Defense Task Force” to see that.

What is striking in what the president’s personal lawyer says is just how much he claims the State Department knew.

He reeled off a list of names and said there are many text messages to prove it.

He was just doing what a lawyer should, he says – this was not foreign policy freelancing or abuse of office – just defending your own.

It is clear he is not going to keep quiet and may well have a lengthy paper trail.

Rumour is rife in Washington that some in the White House are trying to distance themselves from him – uncomfortable with his work in Ukraine.

But he remains adamant – there is nothing wrong in principle with a personal lawyer doing what he did – even if others consider it wildly inappropriate.

It was telling to see him chuckle when I asked if he was worried about his future.

Mr Giuliani maintains he and the president have been transparent from the start – it is just elitist untouchables like Mr Biden who seem to be going unchecked.

And there will certainly be mounting questions surrounding Mr Biden’s role and questions about his trustworthiness.

It is surprising Hunter Biden’s role, when his father was so prominent, did not come under greater scrutiny at the time. It may look fishy to plenty of people.

But unfortunately for Mr Giuliani and the president, they are the ones under the microscope and the Democrats seem bent on moving quickly.

There is already talk of articles of impeachment being filed by October. This could really backfire on Democrats but they seem convinced it is worth taking the risk.

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