WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on former President Donald Trump’s second Senate impeachment trial (all times local):
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on former President Donald Trump’s second Senate impeachment trial (all times local): 4:30 p.m. House Democrats prosecuting President Donald Trump’s impeachment have wrapped up their opening arguments. Rep. Jamie Raskin implored senators in his closing speech to exercise “common sense about what just took place in our country” and find Trump guilty of inciting an insurrection. Raskin is the lead prosecutor for the House. He said senators have the power under the Constitution to find Trump guilty of having betrayed the oath of office the nation’s founders wrote into the Constitution. Another impeachment manager warned senators that acquitting Trump could have lasting consequences for the country. Rep. Joe Neguse said that “if we pretend this didn’t happen, or worse, if we let it go unanswered, who’s to say it won’t happen again.” Trump’s lawyers will begin their arguments when the trial resumes at noon Friday. ___ HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S SECOND SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: Chilling security video of last month’s deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has become a key exhibit in Donald Trump’s impeachment trial as lawmakers prosecuting the case wrap up their opening arguments for why Trump should be convicted of inciting the siege. Read more: Trial highlights: Harrowing footage, focus on Trump’s words — ‘Distressing and emotional’: Senators relive horror of riot — Did someone say impeachment? Biden avoids wading into debate — Trump can’t hang on to lawyers after false election claims ___ HERE’S WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON: 2:25 p.m. One of Donald Trump’s lawyers is calling the presentation by House impeachment managers “offensive.” David Schoen told reporters on Thursday that Democrats were “making a movie” and had yet to tie the Jan.6 siege at the U.S. Capitol to the former president. He contended that the use of chilling video of the riot shown repeatedly by House Democrats during Wednesday’s arguments was impeding efforts to bring unity. Democratic House impeachment prosecutors have used their time to air searing video footage of the attack on the Capitol building and to build their case that Trump was responsible for the rioters’ conduct that day. Trump’s legal team is expected to present opening arguments on Friday. ___ 2 p.m. Lawyers for former president Donald Trump are planning to begin and wrap up their defense in his impeachment trial in less than a day, using far fewer than their allotted argument hours. That’s according to his senior adviser Jason Miller, who said there could even be enough time left over for planned questioning to begin.
