Watch: Impeachment Trial Starts With Violent Video From Capitol Riots [Full Clip]
The second impeachment trial for former President Donald Trump began in a big way on Feb. 9, with the Impeachment officers presenting the case against him for Incitement of Insurrection by sharing footage of the riots that occurred at the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Trump is being charged for his role in allegedly inciting the attack which temporarily halted the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory, which Democrats who filed the article of Impeachment allege happened because of comments he made at a rally prior to the crowds breaching the building. To make the case, as the trial began, House Impeachment Manager, Rep. Jamie Raskin, played a video reliving the horror of the day—including the then-president's comments.
“We will stop the steal. Today, I will lay out just some of the evidence proving that we won this election, and we won it by a landslide. This was not a close election,” Trump says in the video. “And after this, we are going to walk down, and I’ll be there with you, we’re going to walk down to the Capitol.”
Video taken by his supporters then played with people shouting “We’re going to take the Capitol,” and urging others to head to the building where members of Congress were certifying the Electoral results. As the group begins heading over, Trump still makes his speech asserting the election was stolen from him.
WARNING: Video NSFW and contains graphic moments.
Footage also shows as supporters kick down barricades, attack police officers, and chant “USA! USA! USA!” before breaking into the building.
Additional footage shows Trump continuing to make his assertions as the members of Congress continue working and the crowds start to overtake the police.
Footage also shows as a stockade with a noose is erected by one man, which was suggested later had been erected with the hopes of hanging Nancy Pelosi and Mike Pence.
Footage continues to show moments of protestors as members of Congress, including Pelosi, are quickly ushered off to safety, while officers like Eugene Goodman, are seen on video diverting the mob from some of their intended targets. As members of Congress are cleared out, the protestors are heard chanting various phrases, including "[expletive] the Blue," and "Stop the Steal." Other moments show members of the mob confronting police, including one man, who asserts there are a million people trying to get in--and that they are listening to the cops' boss-President Trump.
Ashli Babbitt, the Trump supporter who was shot and killed during the riot, is also seen on the video at the moment she is shot, as she tries to climb through a broken glass window and is knocked back by the bullet. After rioters then break into the House Chamber and Senate, looking for the members of Congress who had been evacuated, they are also seen rifling through papers.
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