Trump impeachment trial 2 : ‘Convict Trump or he can incite capitol riot again’: Prosecutors say as they wrap up argument

Democrats have finished their arguments in Trump’s second impeachment trial stating that Donald Trump incited the attack on the US Congress and “he can do this again” if he is not convicted.

Impeachment prosecutors argued the January 6 riot incited by Trump has caused long-term harm while they also showed video evidence, accounts from police, congress staff, intelligence officials and foreign media to pursue their case against the former president.

Trump’s defence team is set to present their arguments today, February 12.

Trump’s lawyers have previously argued he was using his right to freedom of speech when declaring last November’s presidential election fraudulent.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives impeached Trump last month, accusing him of inciting the riot on the Capitol building on 6 January.

 
The prosecution’s closing argument reads: “We humbly ask you to convict President Trump”

“Because impeachment, conviction and disqualification [from office] is not just about the past. It’s about the future,” 

“It’s making sure that no future official, no future president does the same exact thing.”

House prosecutor Joe Neguse made the case that Trump was “not just some guy” making a controversial speech – he was a president addressing supporters who were “poised for violence [and] he struck a match”.

Fellow House manager David Cicilline used video and court documents to illustrate the harm done to “Congress and the Democratic process”.

He added that some rioters admitted they planned to murder Vice-President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“Never did any of us imagine that we would face mortal peril by a mob riled up by the president of the United States,” Mr Cicilline said.

Lead impeachment manager Jamie Raskin concluded by outlining questions for Donald Trump’s defence team.

“Why didn’t Trump tell his supporters to stop the attack on the Capitol as soon as he learned of it?

Why did President Trump do nothing to stop the attack for at least two hours after the attack began?”

“Why did he do nothing to send help to overwhelmed and besieged law enforcement officers for at least two hours after the attack begin?”

“On 6 January, why did President Trump at any point that day do nothing to condemn the violent insurrection and insurrectionists?”

A two-thirds majority is required to convict Mr Trump in the evenly split 100-seat Senate, but an acquittal looks likely as majority of Republican senators have remained loyal to him so far.

If Trump is convicted, however, the Senate could also vote to bar him from holding elected office again.