On Tuesday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) said the House was “moving forward with an official impeachment inquiry,” unifying ongoing investigations in six congressional committees under the umbrella of an impeachment probe. Citing a July phone call between President Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, Pelosi argued the president abused his authority and broke the law by directing Zelensky to reopen an investigation into the overseas business dealings of former Vice President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter. The transcript of the said call, however, failed to show any nefarious quid-pro-quo as alleged by the Trump's opponenets.

While there is dispute over whether Congress still needs to institute a full vote in order to direct the House Judiciary Committee to launch a formal probe – as occurred during the Nixon and Clinton impeachment sagas – some Democrats argue no such vote is necessary.

Legal technicalities aside, the announcement of the inquiry itself has sent both the president’s backers and enemies into political overdrive, with both camps urging their rank-and-file to prepare for combat.

“War; this is war against truths,” conservative actor John Voight said in a video message posted on Twitter Wednesday night, adding “This is a war against the highest noble man who has defended our country.”

In a “time of evil words, ... let us all stand with our President Trump,” Voight said, slamming Democrats for their impeachment drive, which he deemed a “crime.”

Former New York City Mayor Rudi Giuliani, who now serves as Trump’s legal counsel, also ridiculed House Democrats for their efforts, calling them a “sad joke” and insisting he would not comply with any House subpoenas, at least not without the president’s sign-off.

“They have no legitimacy,” he said. “I would think of challenging their subpoena on the grounds that they're not a legitimate committee.”

Presidential advisor Kellyanne Conway also pulled no punches, accusing Pelosi of dining on an “equivocation sandwich” for lunch, and stating she had allowed “the men around her” form her opinions.