FILE – In this Jan. 6, 2021, file photo rioters loyal to President Donald Trump try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington. Arguments begin Tuesday, Feb. 9, in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump on allegations that he incited the violent mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)
Donald Trump’s historic second impeachment trial has opened in the Senate with graphic video of the deadly Jan. 6 attack on Congress after the defeated former president whips up a rally crowd. He shouts that “we’re going to walk down to the Capitol” as he encourages a futile fight over his loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump is charged by the House with inciting the violent mob attack on the U.S. Capitol to overturn the election. Prosecutors argue Trump committed a “grievous constitutional crime,” but his defense team insists his fiery words at the rally were just figures of speech. His lawyers also say that trying a former president is unconstitutional. The debate over that constitutional question is expected to highlight the opening day.
House Democrats present footage from the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 during the Senate impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. https://t.co/QhUmc0u6IG pic.twitter.com/KylDG2vtPH
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 9, 2021
Rep. Jamie Raskin choked up repeatedly Tuesday as he recalled assuring his daughter, Tabitha, and son-in-law Hank that it would be safe to watch the House count Electoral College votes on Jan. 6. https://t.co/zDE2EBYxD1 pic.twitter.com/ggPM0B1XsQ
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 9, 2021
“The sound of pounding on the door like a battering ram. It’s the most haunting sound I have ever heard and I will never forget it.”
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 9, 2021
“Literally the symbol that flashes on television whenever you’re trying to explain that you’re talking about the United States. Instant symbol. To have it attacked is repugnant in every sense of the word. The loss of life is horrific.”
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 9, 2021
“And that the spirit of bipartisanship and bipartisan cooperation requires us to drop the case and march forward in unity. With all due respect, every premise and every conclusion of that argument is wrong.”
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 9, 2021
“Just weeks ago, weeks ago, the President of the United States literally incited an armed attack on the Capitol, our seat of government, while seeking to retain power by subverting an election he lost and then celebrated the attack. People died.”
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) February 9, 2021