
DONALD TRUMP’S IMPEACHMENT TRIAL BEGINS
Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial began on February 9. It’s been a little over a month after a mob of Trump supporters rioted at the U.S. Capitol. The House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump on January 13 for incitement on insurrection, stating that he caused the riot that put lawmakers in danger and left five people dead. Two police officers ended up committing suicide following the riot.
Even though Trump’s time at the white house has come and gone, Senators voted that the trial was, in fact, constitutional. Trump’s case opened with horrifying videos from the Capitol chaos. Some of the clips played featured the senators themselves and the chamber in which they now sit in judgment. Their timeline of attack follows previous arguments that Trump knew what he was doing, the words he was going to say, and the fact that it would lead to violence before January 6. Of course, Trump denies all allegations and says he did not intend for any of the events to spiral out of control. His lawyers claim he did not encourage any lawful acts, and what he said to his supporters is protected by the First Amendment.
“Even though, theoretically, we’re all witnesses, we were pretty secured witnesses,” said Sen. Roy Blunt. “That may be the longest time I’ve sat down and just watched straight footage of what was truly a horrendous day for the country and around the world.”
The House managers have been given up to two days to present their evidence. Trump’s defense team will also have two days to make any necessary arguments against convicting the former president. Even though Donald Trump is no longer in office, a conviction would permit the senators to ban him from running for federal office again.
As Day 3 of trial comes to an end, a source close to former President Trump’s legal team says the defense is looking to possibly shorten their presentation to as short as three hours to make it “short, tight and direct.”