Impeachment Managers Wrap Case Against Trump - Defense Begins Friday
What Happened:
On Thursday, Day 3 of Trump's second impeachment trial, House Impeachment Managers concluded their case against former president Trump saying he was directly responsible for inciting the Jan. 6 riot at Capitol Hill.
Democratic prosecutors showed several examples of rioters saying they were carrying out the orders of their commander-in-chief. One rioter, when yelling to police trying to hold the barrier, said "We were invited here...we were invited by the President of the United States." Numerous other similar examples were shown at the trial.
Impeachment managers also included several statements rioters made saying they forced their way into the Capitol because Trump wanted them to do so.
Trump attorney David Schoen criticized the use of videos and statements of rioters.
Said Schoen, "...they're making a movie. They haven't in any way tied it to Donald Trump. I think it’s offensive, quite frankly...I think it tears at the American people, quite frankly."
Impeachment manager, Rep. Diana DeGette (D) of Colorado, said the violence, destruction and death at the Capitol would not have happened without Trump's involvement.
Said DeGette, "Donald Trump had sent them there. They truly believed that the whole intrusion was at the president's orders and we know that because they said so."
Democrats also made the case that the riot was not caused by a single speech but by months of Trump stoking conspiracy theories about a fraudulent election, ultimately, culminating in a "powder keg" of a situation with Trump supporters poised for violence.
On Friday, Trump's legal team will begin his defense. Ultimately, despite the arguments, the outcome of the impeachment is considered a foregone conclusion as many Republicans already stated, before the trial began, that they plan to acquit the former president.
Developing Story
Photo Source: whitehouse.gov
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