WASHINGTON (AP) – Opening arguments begin Wednesday at Donald Trump’s impeachment trial after an exciting first day that took senators and the nation back to the deadly January 6 attack on the United States Capitol.
Trump’s lawyers tried to suspend the trial on constitutional grounds, but missed the offer on Tuesday. His arguments were vague at times, making Trump furious on the performance of its lawyers and allies questioning the defense strategy. Some asked for another shake-up in their legal team.
Democratic House prosecutors are trying to link Trump directly to the riot that left five people dead, playing videos of protesters trying to prevent Democratic Joe Biden’s victory certification and Trump’s statements urging them to fight the election results.
Senators, many of whom fled for security on the day of the attack, watched graphic videos of Trump supporters who fought against the police to invade the corridors, with Trump flags waving. More videos are expected for Wednesday, including some that have not been seen before.
Trump is the first president to face an impeachment trial after leaving office and the first to receive two impeachment charges. The riot followed a demonstration during which Trump urged his supporters to “fight like hell”, words that his lawyers say are simply a figure of speech. He is accused of “inciting insurrection”.
“This is a major crime and misdemeanor,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., Declared in the opening remarks. “If this is not an impeachable offense, then there is no such thing.”
Security remains extremely tight at the Capitol, surrounded by barbed wire and patrolled by National Guard troops.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Biden would not attend the trial.
“Joe Biden is the president, he is not a scholar, he will not comment on arguments and responses,” she said.
The managers of the Chamber’s impeachment described policemen mutilated in chaos and protesters parading in the very chamber where the trial was being held. Trump’s team countered that the constitution does not allow impeachment at this late date.
This is a legal issue that could resonate among Senate Republicans eager to absolve Trump, without being seen as tolerating his behavior.
Chief defense attorney, Bruce Castor said he changed his planned approach after hearing the prosecutors’ emotional openness, and instead spoke conversationally with the senators, saying the Trump team would denounce the “disgusting” and “attackers” as strongly as possible to the troublemakers “. He appealed to senators as “patriots first” and encouraged them to be “coolheaded” when evaluating the arguments.
Trump’s attorney David Schoen turned the trial into a strongly partisan tone, arguing that Democrats were fueled by a “basic hatred” of the former president.
Republicans made it clear that they were dissatisfied with Trump’s defense, many of them saying they did not understand where she was going – particularly Castor’s opening. Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy, who voted with Democrats to move forward with the trial, said the Trump team did a “terrible job”. Maine Sen. Susan Collins, who also voted with Democrats, said she was “perplexed”. Senator Lisa Murkowki of Alaska said it was a “missed opportunity” for the defense.
Six Republicans joined the Democrats to vote and proceed with the trial, but the 56-44 vote was far from the two-thirds of 67 votes that would be required for sentencing.
At a crucial point, Raskin told his personal story of bringing his family to the Capitol that day to witness the Electoral College’s vote certification, only to have his daughter and son-in-law hidden in an office, fearing for their lives.
“Senators, this cannot be our future,” said Raskin through tears. “This cannot be America’s future.”
City prosecutors argued that there is no “January exception” for a president to avoid impeachment by walking out the door. Deputy Joe Neguse, D-Colorado, referred to the corruption case of William Belknap, secretary of war in the Grant administration, who was impeached, tried and finally acquitted by the Senate after leaving office.
If Congress stays put, “it would invite future presidents to use their power without fear of accountability,” he said.
It seems unlikely that House prosecutors will call witnesses, and Trump declined a request to testify. The trial is expected to continue over the weekend.
Trump’s second impeachment trial it should diverge from the long and complicated case of a year ago. In that case, Trump was accused of privately lobbying Ukraine to dig up the dirt from Biden, then a Democratic rival for the presidency.
This time, Trump’s rhetoric of demonstration “stop the theft” and the invasion of the Capitol were shown to the whole world.
The Democratic-led Chamber impeached the President quickly, a week after the attack.