Democrats say Trump ‘aimed a loaded cannon’ of MAGA supporters at Capitol riot in impeachment brief
DEMOCRATS said that Donald Trump “aimed a loaded cannon” of MAGA supporters at the Capitol riot in impeachment brief. The document links Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the presidential election to the deadly January 6 protest, saying he bears “unmistakable” blame for actions that directly threatened the underpinnings of American democracy. It argues […]
DEMOCRATS said that Donald Trump “aimed a loaded cannon” of MAGA supporters at the Capitol riot in impeachment brief.
The document links Trump’s efforts to overturn the results of the presidential election to the deadly January 6 protest, saying he bears “unmistakable” blame for actions that directly threatened the underpinnings of American democracy.
It argues that he must be found guilty when his impeachment trial opens before the Senate next week on a charge of inciting the siege.
“His conduct endangered the life of every single Member of Congress, jeopardized the peaceful transition of power and line of succession, and compromised our national security,” the Democratic managers wrote.
“This is precisely the sort of constitutional offense that warrants disqualification from federal office.”
The legal brief lays out for the first time the arguments House lawmakers expect to present at the impeachment trial.
It not only explicitly faults him for his role in the riot but also aims to preemptively rebut defense claims that Trump’s words were somehow protected by the First Amendment or that an impeachment trial is unconstitutional, or even unnecessary, now that Trump has left office.
It says Trump’s behavior was so egregious as to require permanent disqualification from office.
The Constitution specifies that disqualification from office can be a punishment for an impeachment conviction.
“This is not a case where elections alone are a sufficient safeguard against future abuse; it is the electoral process itself that President Trump attacked and that must be protected from him and anyone else who would seek to mimic his behavior,” the legal brief states.
Lawyers for Trump are expected to file their own brief on Tuesday.
In a Fox News appearance on Monday night, one of the attorneys, David Schoen, said he would argue that the trial was unconstitutional, that efforts to bar Trump from office were undemocratic. and that his words were protected by the First Amendment.
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Democrats made clear that they disagree with all points.
“The only honorable path at that point was for President Trump to accept the results and concede his electoral defeat.
“Instead, he summoned a mob to Washington, exhorted them into a frenzy, and aimed them like a loaded cannon down Pennsylvania Avenue,” they wrote.