- Trump’s impeachment lawyer said he would highlight the rhetoric of Democratic lawmakers during the trial.
- Bruce Castor claimed that he had images of Democrats using “inflammatory rhetoric” during the BLM protests.
- He will argue that Trump was using his First Amendment right to question the election result.
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Former impeachment attorney for former President Donald Trump said on Friday that he will use video footage of Democratic lawmakers using “fiery rhetoric” during the Black Lives Matter movement to strengthen his arguments during the Senate trial next week.
The House voted last month to accuse Trump of inciting the deadly Capitol insurrection on January 6 in actions that included a speech he gave that morning to a crowd of supporters gathered for a “Save America” rally.
The video of Trump’s speech is expected to be included in the trial, along with other images of protesters storming the Capitol building.
Speaking with Laura Ingraham on his Fox News program on Friday, attorney Bruce Castor said he will try to contain these videos by highlighting the rhetoric of Democratic lawmakers in the Black Lives Matter protests over the summer.
“Will you then respond with Maxine Waters, a number of other Democratic officials who did not speak out about antifa and other extremist rallies last summer?” Ingraham asked Castor, according to the Politician.
“I think you can count on that,” replied Castor. “If my eyes look a little red to viewers, it’s because I’ve been watching a lot of videos.”
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Castor added that he will specifically highlight the comments made by Democratic lawmakers during the BLM protests.
The demonstrations were mostly peaceful, but critics pointed out some protests – specifically in Portland – that have become violent. At the time, Trump mistakenly blamed the extreme left and antifa for violence in the city.
“There are many tapes of burning cities and courts being attacked and federal agents being attacked by rioters on the streets, supported by Democrats across the country,” said Castor, according to Politico.
“Many of them in Washington are actually using the most inflammatory rhetoric possible. And certainly, there would be no suggestion that they did anything to incite any of the actions,” he added. “But here, when you have the president of the United States make a speech and say that you should peacefully disclose your thoughts to the people in Congress, he is suddenly a villain.”
“You better be careful what you want,” he added.
It is unclear what videos or comments the Trump team will quote during the impeachment trial.
Trump’s legal team, made up of Castor and attorney David Schoen, must argue that the constitution “requires a person to actually hold a position be impeachment,” according to a statement released earlier this week.
They will also argue that the former president was exercising his First Amendment right to question the results of the 2020 elections.
Trump’s adviser and spokesman Jason Miller previously confirmed to Insider that “the president will not testify in an unconstitutional case”.