Much of the evidence Democrats are expected to use in their case to convict ex-President Trump of inciting an insurrection is relatively well known — seared in our minds for the past month by live footage and violent video and photo evidence of his role in encouraging a mob of his supporters to storm the Capitol.
But those images together, laid out chronologically to juxtapose photos, videos, tweets and statements, made for a compelling, gutting opening exhibit, introduced by House impeachment manager Jamie Raskin (D-MD).
The video montage served as a stark contrast to the Republican “move-on” rhetoric of late, an attempt by Trump’s closest allies to downplay the actual violence of that day, despite many GOPers’ early condemnation of what happened in the immediate aftermath.
“Senators, the President was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives on January 13th for doing that,” Raskin said from the Senate floor after the nearly 15 minute video montage finished playing. “You asked what a high crime and misdemeanor is under our Constitution? That’s a high crime and misdemeanor. If that’s not an impeachable offense, then there is no such thing.”
Republicans are expected to focus on the constitutionality of convicting a president after he’s left office, rather than the merit of his role in the insurrection that left five people dead.
Watch the montage below. Warning: there is graphic language and content included.
