Creepy video footage becomes centerpiece of Trump trial

WASHINGTON (AP) – Scary security video of last month’s deadly insurgency on the U.S. Capitol, including rioters threateningly looking for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Mike Pence has become a centerpiece of Donald Trump’s impeachment trial as lawmakers pursuing the case conclude their opening arguments as to why Trump should be convicted of incitement to siege.

The House is continuing its case on Thursday, Trump’s lawyers will launch their defense by the end of the week. Democrats plan to use their remaining hours of argument to expose the physical and mental damage caused by the attack, discuss Trump’s lack of action as it unfolds, and make a final presentation on legal issues involved, according to assistants working on the impeachment team. Helpers were granted anonymity to get an overview of the arguments.

Footage shown at trial, much of which has never been seen before, included video of crowds crushing the building, distraught members of Congress receiving solace, rioters engaging in hand-to-hand combat with police and audio of Capitol police pleading for safeguard. He stressed how dangerously close the rioters were to the country’s leadership, shifting the focus of the trial from an academic debate on the Constitution to a crude account of the Jan.6 assault.

Videos of the siege have been circulating since the day of the riot, but the graphic compilation shown to senators on Wednesday amounted to a fuller account, a moment-to-moment account of one of the country’s most alarming days. He offered new details about the attackers, scenes of police heroism, and whispers of desperation from staff.

The footage included rioters wandering the halls chanting “Hang Mike Pence”, some equipped with combat gear. Outside, the crowd had set up a makeshift gallows. And in a heart-wrenching moment, police were seen shooting and killing a San Diego woman, Ashli ​​Babbitt, as crowds attempted to pass through the doors near the House.

Pence, who had chaired a session to certify Joe Biden’s electoral victory over Trump – thus deserving Trump’s censure – was shown rushed to safety, where he took refuge in an office with his family just 30 yards from the rioters. Pelosi was seen evacuated from the complex as her staff hid behind the doors of her office suite.

Although most of the Senate jurors appear to have made a decision, which makes Trump’s acquittal likely, they remained riveted as the jarring video aired in the chamber. Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma bowed his head at one point, another GOP colleague putting his hand on his arm comfortably.

“They did it because Donald Trump sent them on this mission,” House Attorney Stacey Plaskett, the Democratic delegate representing the Virgin Islands, told them.

“President Trump put a target on their backs and his mob stormed into the Capitol to hunt them down.

Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, was seen in the footage, rushing down a hallway to avoid the crowds. Romney said he didn’t realize that Officer Eugene Goodman, who has been hailed as a hero for drawing rioters away from the Senate gates, had been the one to lead him to safety.

“It was extremely painful and moving,” he said.

Earlier today, prosecutors laid out their case methodically linking Trump’s verbal attacks on the election to the violence that resulted when hundreds of loyalists stormed the building. Trump did nothing to stem the violence and watched with “joy,” Democrats said, as crowds ransacked the building. Five people died.

The purpose of the presentation was to portray Trump not as an innocent bystander, but rather as the “chief instigator” who spent months spreading lies about the election. Using evocative language meant to match the horror of the day, they likened Trump to a fire chief who rejoices in seeing fires spread, not go out, and they likened his supporters to a cavalry at war.

“This attack would never have happened without Donald Trump,” said Representative Madeleine Dean, one of the impeachment officials, suppressing the emotion. “And so they come, draped in the Trump flag, and used our flag, the American flag, to hit and club.

Thursday brings the second and final full day of argument to the House, with Trump’s legal team taking the lectern Friday and Saturday for 16 hours to present their defense. The difficulty faced by Trump’s defense team became apparent at first as they relied on the trial process, unlike any other, rather than the merits of the case against the former president.

Prosecutors on Wednesday aimed to preemptively refute arguments Trump’s lawyers have indicated to be central to their defense, arguing for example that there was no First Amendment protection for the encouragement of the president to rioters. His lawyers are likely to blame the rioters themselves for the violence, but the Democrats’ presentation made it clear that they saw Trump as ultimately responsible.

Trump is the first president to face an impeachment trial after leaving office and the first to be impeached twice. He is accused of “inciting insurgency”, although his lawyers say his comments were protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution and just a figure of speech. Prosecutors argue that Trump’s words were not just free speech, but part of the “big lie” – his relentless efforts to cast doubt on the election results. These began long before the votes were compiled, prompting his supporters to “stop the theft” although there is no evidence of substantial fraud.

While House impeachment officials argue for Trump’s accountability, the defense countered that the Constitution does not allow the impeachment of a president who is removed from office. Even if the Senate rejected this argument in Tuesday’s vote to proceed with the trial, the legal question could resonate with Senate Republicans keen to acquit Trump without being seen as forgiving his behavior.

While six Republicans joined Democrats in voting Tuesday to proceed with the trial, the 56-44 vote fell short of the two-thirds threshold of 67 votes needed for sentencing.

Spirits did not appear to change on Wednesday, even after senators watched the graphics video.

“I have said many times that the president’s rhetoric is sometimes overheated, but this is not a referendum on whether you agree with anything the president says or tweets,” said Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who was among those leading the effort to challenge the constituency count certifying the election. “This is more of a legal process.”

House prosecutors seem unlikely to call witnesses, and Trump has refused a request for testimony. The trial is expected to continue over the weekend.

Trump’s second impeachment trial is expected to diverge from the long and complicated case of a year ago. In this case, Trump was accused of privately pressuring Ukraine to dig up the dirt on Biden, then Democratic rival for the presidency. It could be over in half the time.

The Democratic-led House removed the president quickly, a week after the attack.