House impeachment managers continue building their devastating case against Trump: Live coverage #1

The nine House impeachment managers spent Day One of their arguments in Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial building a devastating case against Trump, showing not just the violence of January 6 but the months of incitement leading up to it. Senate Republicans seem unmoved. Well, the arguments aren’t done yet.

This is the second and final day of the House managers’ case against Trump. It will be aired on major television news networks and streamed on their websites. Daily Kos will have continuing coverage.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 5:30:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The second full day of presentations opened with Rep. Diana DeGette showing how those insurgents who invaded the Capitol on Jan. 6 believed they were doing what Trump had asked them to do.

Rep. Jamie Raskin now addressing that presentation and showing how insurgents acted in coordination with Trump.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 5:35:23 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Raskin showing a reel of the many past incidents in which Trump encouraged and incited violence.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 5:40:04 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Included in the presentations today, scenes from the white nationalist riot in Charlottesville, and Trump’s “very fine people” support of racist violence.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 5:42:47 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Raskin drawing the clear line between Trump’s encouragement and incitement and attacks on state capitols.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 5:44:00 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

Fox News cut away from the impeachment trial when they started showing a murderous mob chanting lies they got from Fox News.

— Schooley (@Rschooley) February 11, 2021

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 5:54:19 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Raskin doing a good job of showing how other actions, and in particular Trump’s actions in Michigan, showed that he completely understood how to incite violence, and knew that he could generate violence on demand.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 5:57:15 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Raskin: “My dear colleagues, is there any political leader in this room, who believes if he is ever allowed by the Senate to get back into the Oval Office, Donald Trump would stop inciting violence to get his way? Would you bet the lives of more police officers on that? Would you bet the safety of your family on that? Would you bet the future of your democracy on that?”

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 5:59:35 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Ted Lieu takes charge to talk about Trump’s actions, and lack of remorse, following the insurrection.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 6:07:40 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Lieu  mentioned that “some people think Trump should get a ‘mulligan’,” referencing the statement made by Sen. Mike Lee.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 6:11:56 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Lieu may be the best at delivering a message that’s deceptively quiet and calm, while also being powerful and firm.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 6:20:21 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Lieu shows some of the officials who resigned in the wake of Jan. 6. Note that Mitch McConnell’s wife features prominently on this list.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 6:21:13 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Oh hey, a cameo appearance by former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao. AKA Mitch McConnell’s spouse. Huh.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 6:24:34 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

 Rep. Diana DeGette steps back to the microphone to discuss how the insurgents reacted to Trump’s words following Jan. 6.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 6:34:15 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump retweeting comment that “the only good Democrat is a dead Democrat.”

Are any Republican senators listening to the case against Donald Trump? Live coverage #4

The House impeachment managers kicked off day one of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial with a searing video of the Capitol attack, reminding senators of the stakes of the trial—and of the danger they had faced—at the beginning of an argument about the constitutionality of impeaching someone after he’s left office. Day two begins the actual arguments for convicting Trump, and it’s expected to bring more video evidence of what Trump incited and how he incited it.

The arguments will be presented by the nine House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin. They have 16 hours to make the case over two days before Trump’s alternately incompetent and scary defense has the same amount of time. You can watch on most television news channels or their websites, and Daily Kos will have live coverage.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:43:42 AM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

The trial is officially adjourned until tomorrow at 12 ET. We’ll be back with live coverage at that time.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:34:41 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And we’re back, with Rep. David Cicilline walking through Trump’s actions on Jan. 6.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:43:10 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

It will be interesting to see if McCarthy will make any comment on this conversation.

Conversation between Kevin McCarthy and the White House.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:47:49 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Cicilline spending quite a bit of time on the Tuberville call. Because it is seriously jarring.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:52:52 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Plaskett’s earlier presentation may have been the most shocking when it came to events on Jan. 6, but Cicilline’s has been almost equally painful just by pointing out Trump’s inaction.

Rep. Joaquin Castro picking up the story now.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 11:58:03 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Castro pointing out the timing of Trump’s tweet about Pence, just as the crowd is chanting “Hang Mike Pence,” and then seeing that crowd reacting to the tweet in real time, has to be one of the most impactful moments of the presentation. 

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:04:49 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

The focus on Pence has been so important. Those Republican senators are being forced to acknowledge that Trump sent the mob after him, that they intended to kill him. They’re being put in the position of having to betray Pence to stick with Trump.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:16:32 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Rep. Castro’s use of multiple Republicans pleading with Trump during the insurrection to call it off makes that connection pretty darned clear. Every single person--Republican—making those calls knew that Trump incited this and was the only one who could stop it.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:17:10 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Underscoring Trump’s refusal to call on the National Guard, is another powerful point.

List of those involved in calling National Guard on Jan 6

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:20:37 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Castro: “Senators, Donald Trump left everyone in this Capitol for dead.”

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:32:16 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Castro finishes up the day.

Sen. Mike Lee rises to say that statements attributed to him were inaccurate. Considering that the only statement attributed to Lee was simply that he wasn’t Tuberville, it’s hard to see what the heck he’s objecting to.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:38:25 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

It’s unclear right now what the procedure is for dealing with Sen. Mike Lee’s objection. The parliamentarian has said that Lee’s motion to have his words stricken is out of order. He’s appealed that ruling, so they should be voting on whether he can ask for his words to be stricken. This is a diversionary tactic, Lee trying to seize attention, disrupt things, change the tenor of the day.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:38:52 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

What we’re having now is a roll call while everyone tries to figure out just what the hell Mike Lee is on about. Too bad he’s not as upset about someone starting an insurrection as he is about being misquoted in saying “I’m not Tommy.”

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:41:52 AM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And, whatever that was, we’re done for the night.

Thursday, Feb 11, 2021 · 12:42:04 AM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

So Lee has withdrawn his request, they might have to come back to it tomorrow, but they are now adjourned.

Impeachment trial of Donald Trump continues: Live coverage #3

The House impeachment managers kicked off day one of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial with a searing video of the Capitol attack, reminding senators of the stakes of the trial—and of the danger they had faced—at the beginning of an argument about the constitutionality of impeaching someone after he’s left office. Day two begins the actual arguments for convicting Trump, and it’s expected to bring more video evidence of what Trump incited and how he incited it.

The arguments will be presented by the nine House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin. They have 16 hours to make the case over two days before Trump’s alternately incompetent and scary defense has the same amount of time. You can watch on most television news channels or their websites, and Daily Kos will have live coverage.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:17:20 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

As we return from break, Rep. Plaskett and Rep. Swalwell are working their way through the actual events of the assault on the Capitol, including some video of events on that day. This may be the portion in which we see security video that hasn’t previously been seen by the public.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:24:52 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Definitely getting some locations and views that we haven’t seen before.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:27:39 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Second person into the Capitol was a man dressed in body armor and tactical gear.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:33:42 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

As House impeachment managers show the video of Eugene Goodman's heroic actions, Eugene Goodman is actually guarding the Senate today. Saw him about 20 minutes ago just outside the chamber.

— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) February 10, 2021

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:38:59 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Mitt Romney’s close call that day. He owes Officer Goodman: 

Officer Goodman turns Sen. Romney away from danger during the insurrection pic.twitter.com/gukpzQo9zZ

— TPM Livewire (@TPMLiveWire) February 10, 2021

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:40:25 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

No point. He’s not even pretending.

The House managers are about to show graphic footage of Trump’s MAGA Mob storming the Capitol and murdering a police officer. Someone wake up @HawleyMO so he can pretend to give a shit.

— Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) February 10, 2021

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:46:02 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

On the left, the orange dot is Pence, the red dot is the mob. That’s how close they came to Pence. 

Truly remarkable footage of Vice President Pence and his family being escorted out of the Senate chamber. President Trump was back at the White House, continuing to trash Pence, according to multiple people. pic.twitter.com/Vr3c5EBwTR

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) February 10, 2021

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:53:46 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Swalwell takes up the story of the seditionists fighting against the Capitol police and breaking through their lines.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 9:55:09 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

This is what Donald Trump tweeted in the moments VP Pence was being evacuated, just feet away from the mob that was out for his blood. “Mike Pence didn’t have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country….”

House impeachment managers continue making the case against Donald Trump: Live coverage #2

The House impeachment managers kicked off day one of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial with a searing video of the Capitol attack, reminding senators of the stakes of the trial—and of the danger they had faced—at the beginning of an argument about the constitutionality of impeaching someone after he’s left office. Day two begins the actual arguments for convicting Trump, and it’s expected to bring more video evidence of what Trump incited and how he incited it.

The arguments will be presented by the nine House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin. They have 16 hours to make the case over two days before Trump’s alternately incompetent and scary defense has the same amount of time. You can watch on most television news channels or their websites, and Daily Kos will have live coverage.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:08:36 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Madeleine Dean steps up to continue the case, focusing on Trump’s actions to overturn the election through multiple means.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:11:48 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Dean reviews Trump's losses in court cases.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:22:05 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Dean reviewing the attacks Trump made on Republican GA Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger, is a good reminder — and clear signal of just how far Trump was willing to go. 

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:27:18 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Ted Lieu picks up the story next, looking at Trump’s actions in the last days leading up to Jan. 6.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:32:39 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

There’s been a strong thread, running through all the presentations, that encourages Republicans to stand against Trump. It’s been there in how Raskin and Neguse talked about rejoining the Senators to complete the vote, in the blunt praise that was given Mike Pence in doing his job, and especially in how Dean called out courageous GOP officials. They’re giving Republicans a “brave” place to stand against Trump.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:38:35 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Lieu is following the last two desperate efforts from Trump:

  1. Fighting with Bill Barr, then with the rest of the DOJ, including threatening to scramble the leadership until he found someone who would support his claims of election fraud.
  2. Going after Mike Pence in an effort to intimidate him into taking an action that was completely unconstitutional and unlawful.
Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:42:52 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Between Rep. Dean and Rep. Lieu, they’ve done a really good job of showing Trump gradually backing into a corner, failing over and over in his attempts to overturn the election.

Both also did a very good job in providing Republicans a space to step up and be counted among “courageous public servants.”

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:43:54 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The story is now being taken up by Stacey Plaskett, Delegate to United States House of Representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:45:59 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

The lead seditionist in the Senate is still proud to carry that flag. Sen. Josh Hawley just told reporters “What is going on right now is people do not approve of it.[...] I mean they think it's not legitimate, they think it's a waste of time.”

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:47:28 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Plaskett should be waking up the Senate with a passionate, firm declaration of how Trump was well aware that his words were encouraging violence. And how Trump directed that violence at the Congress.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:48:55 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

I just want to remind everyone of a top post on pro-Trump TheDonald forum on January 5th. pic.twitter.com/T1XhOpRUFx

— Ben Collins (@oneunderscore__) February 10, 2021

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 7:59:30 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Blast from Sen. Marco Rubio’s recent past, regarding that attack in Texas on Biden’s bus: “We love what they did.” I hope the worm was squirming through that part of Rep. Plaskett’s presentation.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 8:01:29 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Plaskett pointedly showing a scene from a Trump rally with his supporters chanting “Destroy the GOP!”  It’s not subtle. But hopefully it does make a few senators squirm.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 8:10:54 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump's social media team was well aware of the gathering violence.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 8:14:38 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Plaskett's presentation would seem to nix the "Trump didn't incite them, because they planned it advance" defense, by showing just how involved Trump was in that planning.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 8:21:41 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Dean back up to specifically address events of Jan. 6.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 8:31:58 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Dean’s presentation continuing to show up Trump attacked Republicans for being “weak.” They’re doing all they can to remind GOP senators how readily Trump threw them in the trash.

The second day of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial kicks off: Live coverage #1

The House impeachment managers kicked off day one of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial with a searing video of the Capitol attack, reminding senators of the stakes of the trial—and of the danger they had faced—at the beginning of an argument about the constitutionality of impeaching someone after he’s left office. Day two begins the actual arguments for convicting Trump, and it’s expected to bring more video evidence of what Trump incited and how he incited it.

The arguments will be presented by the nine House impeachment managers, led by Rep. Jamie Raskin. They have 16 hours to make the case over two days before Trump’s alternately incompetent and scary defense has the same amount of time. You can watch on most television news channels or their websites, and Daily Kos will have live coverage.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:13:19 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Jamie Raskin opening with a series of the ways in which Trump summoned and incensed those who assaulted the Capitol.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:21:25 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Raskin’s recounting of Trump’s statements and actions on Jan. 6 is so disturbing all on its own, it shouldn’t even be necessary to see more. But obviously, it is.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:28:16 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

The tweet that underlies a huge part of the case, which Raskin has been centering.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:30:53 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Joe Neguse takes up the story, repeats the sequence that the mob was “summoned, assembled, and incited” by Trump.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:33:29 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Neguse lays out the way in which House managers will lay out their case.

The Provocation:

  • The Big Lie: The election was stolen
  • “Stop the Steal”
  • “Fight like hell”

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:41:54 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Neguse: "He didn't just tell them to fight like hell. He told them where, how, and when."

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:51:10 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

If you were wondering if they would use the words of indicted insurrectionists—“Trump made us do it”—they are. 

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:55:27 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

“These defendants themselves told you exactly why they were here” pic.twitter.com/6HVsD8Kl0M

— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) February 10, 2021

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 5:59:58 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Neguse finishes with a call out to the senators, telling them that his proudest moment in Congress was coming back that night “with you” to finish counting the electoral vote.

Rep. Joaquin Castro is taking over the narrative to explain in detail Trump’s incitement of his supporters.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 6:05:15 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Using months of Trump’s statements about the rigged election—going back as far as May—is good strategy on the House managers’ part. Showing Trump’s supporters saying months before that they will reject a Biden win caps it. They are going to make it every Republican senator rejecting their argument look as bad as Trump.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 6:09:40 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Castro doing a good job of explaining just how unusual Trump’s statements about a rigged election. These claims are unlike anyone “at any level of government.”

People have become so used to Trump’s lies, it’s hard to realize just how out of the ordinary they are.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 6:14:18 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Castro’s presentation includes footage from all the protests in the states starting in November, during the initial vote counting, all of it following Trump tweets and statements. There was ample evidence for what would happen on January 6.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 6:15:44 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Igor Bobic reports from the chamber: “Hawley is the only senator sitting alone in the gallery. He spent most of the presentation with his legs crossed reading paper from a manilla envelope. He did look up and watched as Neguse showed criminal complaints from the rioters charged by DOJ.”

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 6:16:55 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Eric Swalwell takes up the story of incitement, showing how Trump only increased his rhetoric over time.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 6:17:58 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The evidence is damning, chilling, and overwhelming. Only cowardice and complicity stands in the way of conviction.

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) February 10, 2021

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 6:31:46 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

It’s smart to see Rep. Swalwell bringing up tweets in which Trump insulted Republican senators.

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2021 · 6:41:46 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Swalwell points out that Trump spent $50 million on national "STOP THE STEAL!" ads that ran until January 5 -- the day before the insurrection pic.twitter.com/ZKVMaG22d4

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 10, 2021

First day of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial wraps up: Live coverage #4

The second impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump—this time for inciting an insurrection—is underway, with Tuesday bringing four hours of debate on whether it’s constitutional to hold an impeachment trial for someone who is no longer in office. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the Senate already voted once on this question, with five Republicans joining Democrats to say yes, it is.

The quality of the Trump team’s argument was previewed when one of the lawyers they cited in a pre-trial document said they misrepresented his work.

Assuming Republicans once again join Democrats in moving the trial forward, the coming days will bring up to 16 hours of arguments over two days from both the House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team, followed by up to four hours of questions from senators, possibly followed by debate over whether to allow witnesses and subpoenas.

At no point should we lose sight of the fact that this trial is about an insurrection aimed at preventing Congress from certifying the presidential election, in which five people lost their lives.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 10:02:19 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Raskin is back up, with 30 minutes of time, but says he “sees no reason” to make any further case that the Senate has the jurisdiction . Waives his time.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 10:03:34 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

And we’re proceeding straight to the vote on whether the Senate can move forward. 

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 10:09:18 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump can’t be happy with Castor’s … whatever that was. It so bored the Senate that several members actually left the chamber. When Schoen started up, they came back and seemed to be paying attention. However, 90% of what Schoen said was also completely off target in trying to prove what Trump’s team said in their replies.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 10:10:58 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The vote is 56 to 44. So it looks like after the first day, Democrats have actually picked up a vote. The new “yes” is Cassidy.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 10:12:54 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

So Republican “yes” votes are: Cassidy, Collins, Murkowski, Romney, Sasse, and Toomey. That’s a small crack … but it’s a crack.

Still, it seems like most Republicans still intend to hide behind the Constitution question to avoid saying that their vote is an endorsement of Trump’s actions.

Impeachment trial argument over whether to have an impeachment trial continues: Live coverage #3

The second impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump—this time for inciting an insurrection—is underway, with Tuesday bringing four hours of debate on whether it’s constitutional to hold an impeachment trial for someone who is no longer in office. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the Senate already voted once on this question, with five Republicans joining Democrats to say yes, it is.

The quality of the Trump team’s argument was previewed when one of the lawyers they cited in a pre-trial document said they misrepresented his work.

Assuming Republicans once again join Democrats in moving the trial forward, the coming days will bring up to 16 hours of arguments over two days from both the House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team, followed by up to four hours of questions from senators, possibly followed by debate over whether to allow witnesses and subpoenas.

At no point should we lose sight of the fact that this trial is about an insurrection aimed at preventing Congress from certifying the presidential election, in which five people lost their lives.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:44:54 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Castor still at it. Now he’s arguing … people get elected all the time. So nobody should ever be impeached. I think. It’s no more coherent than anything else he’s said.

Oh he did say “President Biden.” Trump’s going to be angry.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:45:52 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Castor is genuinely arguing at this point that Trump’s antics failed to keep Biden out of the White House so … no harm, no foul.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:46:31 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Bruce Castor watches a lot of television. And he wants to share everything he’s seen with you.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:46:48 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

This is the “his attempted self-coup failed” defense.

— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) February 9, 2021

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:49:49 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

It always helps to have someone leading your impeachment strategy who doesn’t know what a “high crime” is.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:53:50 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Now David Schoen is up. He was Roger Stone’s (losing) attorney in his (losing) case. And he’s worried, sir. “My overriding emotion is one of wanting to cry because of what I believe this proceeding will do to our Constitution.” 

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:56:35 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Ah. Schoen  is firing off that the House is full of “elitists” who have sneered at the “deplorables.” You have to stop this, because some people voted for Trump.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:57:42 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schoen  just threatened civil war if the trial isn’t halted. For unity, people have to just let Trump go.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:59:43 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schoen is giving the angry, Roger Stone Q-flavored version of the speech. But he also seems to have forgotten that there’s supposed to be a legal argument about whether the impeachment can go forward.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:00:31 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Instead, Schoen is just threatening the Senate. That’s one approach, I guess.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:04:35 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

I present trumps defense team. Gotta hold my head on while I drink water. pic.twitter.com/qls21R4suh

— Jason Overstreet 🩸🦷🗽 (@JasonOverstreet) February 9, 2021

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:05:53 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

You have to hand it to Schoen. He screamed about the House managers showing a movie … as an intro to his movie.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:12:20 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schoen arguing that Trump was impeached too fast, and also not in time. Which followed Castor complaining that Trump shouldn’t have been impeached before the investigation into Jan. 6 was complete, except Trump couldn’t be impeached after leaving office.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:19:35 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Castor railed against House managers for referring to aspects of British common law. Now Schoen is saying their defense is grounded in "the history of Anglo-American jurisprudence."

Have these two met?

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:23:18 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Apparently, according to Schoen, the real villain here is Nancy Pelosi.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:28:47 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schoen has props. Holds up a copy of the Constitution, then holds up a Little Red Book.

He’s a subtle dude.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:30:16 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

One reason that this Senate trial is happening after Trump’s departure is the McConnell recessed the Senate until January 19, so there really wasn’t any other option. Not that Trump’s lawyers would acknowledge that.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:37:58 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

David Schoen is proving the old legal adage in the Senate today: "when you have the facts, argue the facts-when the law is on your side, argue the law-when you have neither...pull out your pocket Constitution, waive it vigorously in the air and let your angry Dad voice rip."

— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) February 9, 2021

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:45:40 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Schoen suggest impeaching Jimmy Carter “for his handling of the Iran hostage scandal.” Kind of skips over the other guy who was, illegally, negotiating with Iran to keep the hostages in order to harm Carter during the election.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 9:54:30 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Honestly, I thought Schoen was wrapping this up an hour ago. But he just goes on.

Senate considers whether Trump can be convicted after leaving office: Live coverage #2

The second impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump—this time for inciting an insurrection—is underway, with Tuesday bringing four hours of debate on whether it’s constitutional to hold an impeachment trial for someone who is no longer in office. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the Senate already voted once on this question, with five Republicans joining Democrats to say yes, it is.

The quality of the Trump team’s argument was previewed when one of the lawyers they cited in a pre-trial document said they misrepresented his work.

Assuming Republicans once again join Democrats in moving the trial forward, the coming days will bring up to 16 hours of arguments over two days from both the House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team, followed by up to four hours of questions from senators, possibly followed by debate over whether to allow witnesses and subpoenas.

At no point should we lose sight of the fact that this trial is about an insurrection aimed at preventing Congress from certifying the presidential election, in which five people lost their lives.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 7:24:22 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Rep. Cicilline continues to address the arguments concerning whether a former president can be tried. It’s hard to think how Trump’s attorneys will respond … except by resting on the knowledge the Senate Republicans aren’t really concerned about the law or Constitution. 

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 7:33:30 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Cicilline on the Republican promises to push false equivalencies during the trial: "That's a gimmick. That's a parlor game meant to inflame partisan hostility and play on our divisions." pic.twitter.com/d83dBR4jDK

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 9, 2021

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 7:33:48 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Cicilline makes a stirring call that holding Trump responsible for his actions is necessary for the nation to move forward, and that allowing Trump to escape consequences would endanger the nation.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 7:36:42 PM +00:00 · Hunter

Officer Goodman entered the chamber a few minutes ago and is watching the proceedings from the back of the room.

— Igor Bobic (@igorbobic) February 9, 2021

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 7:39:00 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Raskin closing with the story of his personal experience on Jan. 6. Just a day after burying his son, Raskin was separated from his daughter and son-in-law as the House was invade. Extremely moving.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 7:41:14 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Raskin: “Senators, this can not be our future.”

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 7:42:56 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

A ten minute break before Trump’s attorneys address the constitutional question. 

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:06:19 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Trump’s lead attorney is up. And is comparing the insurrection to “something bad happening” and people wanting someone to pay. 

In other words … Trump is being lynched.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 8:11:44 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Q: Any reaction to the opening arguments by the House managers? HAWLEY: No. Q: None at all? HAWLEY: *no response*

— Frank Thorp V (@frankthorp) February 9, 2021

Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial opens with a familiar question: Live coverage #1

The second impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump—this time for inciting an insurrection—kicks off Tuesday with four hours of argument on whether it’s constitutional to hold an impeachment trial for someone who is no longer in office. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the Senate already voted once on this question, with five Republicans joining Democrats to say yes, it is.

The quality of the Trump team’s argument was previewed when one of the lawyers they cited in a pre-trial document said they misrepresented his work.

Assuming Republicans once again join Democrats in moving the trial forward, the coming days will bring up to 16 hours of arguments over two days from both the House impeachment managers and Trump’s defense team, followed by up to four hours of questions from senators, possibly followed by debate over whether to allow witnesses and subpoenas.

At no point should we lose sight of the fact that this trial is about an insurrection aimed at preventing Congress from certifying the presidential election, in which five people lost their lives.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 6:11:06 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Things kick off with a procedural vote on the rules for the trial—that were agreed upon by the House Managers, Democratic and Republican senate leadership, and Trump’s legal team—so naturally the usual suspects will be voting no. 

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 6:20:00 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

The sedition caucus voting against the rules for the trial: 11 Republicans voted Cruz (TX), Hawley (MO), Hagerty (TN), Johnson (WI), Lee (UT), Marshall (KS), Paul (KY), Rubio (FL), Scott (FL), Scott (SC) and Tuberville (AL)

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 6:27:48 PM +00:00 · Laura Clawson

The House managers are showing video evidence that stitches together what was happening in the House and Senate chambers with the approaching mob. The message to Republican senators: This is what was coming for you as you tried to do your jobs.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 6:31:45 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

The video from the House managers is incredibly shocking and disturbing, even if you watched every moment of video coverage on Jan. 6.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 6:33:18 PM +00:00 · Hunter

Here’s part of the powerful video House managers are presenting. We’ll be posting it in full when available.

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 6:34:27 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Raskin, after the video: "You ask what high crime…and misdemeanor is, that's what a high crime and misdemeanor is under the Constitution."

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 6:42:44 PM +00:00 · Joan McCarter

Raskin: "President Trump may not know much about the Framers, but they knew a lot about him."

— emptywheel (@emptywheel) February 9, 2021

Tuesday, Feb 9, 2021 · 6:51:17 PM +00:00 · Barbara Morrill

Here’s the video presentation (shown in two parts). Graphic images and language: