Donald Trump impeachment trial kicks off with dramatic video of deadly Capitol riots
US officials kicked off Donald Trump's second impeachment trial yesterday with dramatic footage of the deadly riots which seized the US Capitol in January.
Trump impeachment trial: Senate shows footage from day of riots
Many Republicans had argued that the trial should not go ahead at all, claiming it was unconstitutional to try a president who is no longer in office. However, the Senate allowed the trial to go ahead after six Republicans joined all Democrats in a 56-44 vote.
Jamie Raskin, a Democrat and lead impeachment manager, addressed those present as he introduced the jarring footage.
He said: “You will not be hearing extended lectures from me, because our case is based on cold, hard facts.”
The clip shows Mr Trump addressing cheering supporters with statements such as “we will stop the steal” and “you can’t vote on fraud”.
Other clips in the footage show crowds of people shoving their way into the US Capitol, waving flags as they go.
One person amid the unrest appeared to be addressing Capitol security personnel, saying: “You’re outnumbered.
“There’s a f-ing million of us out there, and we are listening to Trump – your boss.”
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The video also states “at least seven people lost their lives” and that “more than 140 law enforcement officers suffered physical injuries” amid the unrest.
It then states that Mr Trump posted a video around two hours after ‘insurgents’ breached the Capitol, in which he stated: “We have to have peace.”
He then tweeted, around two hours later: “These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously and viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly and unfairly treated for so long.”
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After the video had played, Mr Raskin said: “Senators, the President was impeached by the US House of Representatives on January 13 for doing that.”
According to Sky News, Mr Trump’s second impeachment trial is due to last into the middle of next week.
Analysts have said it is not likely that enough Republican senators will vote against Mr Trump in the final vote.
Prior to yesterday’s trial proceedings, Mr Trump’s lawyers had said the trial could not go ahead on the basis that Mr Trump had already left office.
His colleague David Schoen claimed the trial would “open up more wounds across the nation”.