ARTICLE 1, SECTION 3
"The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments."
Election Fraud: tRump's Big Lie
Reasons to Impeach tRump
Doublespeak Has Consequences: Why ALL Republicans Who Incited the Insurrection Must Be Punished
tRump's Kool-Aid Recipe: How He Plans to Win at ALL Costs
The Marjorie Taylor Greene Case: What the GOP is Willing to Defend
ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT: INCITEMENT OF INSSURRECTION
"DONALD JOHN TRUMP ENGAGED IN HIGH CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS BY INCITING VIOLENCE AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNTIED STATES, IN THAT: ON JANUARY 6, 2021, PURSUANT TO THE 12TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE SENATE MET A THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL FOR A JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS TO COUNT THE VOTES OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. IN THE MONTHS PRECEDING THE JOINT SESSION, PRESIDENT TRUMP REPEATEDLY ISSUED FALSE STATEMENTS ASSERTING THAT THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS WERE THE PRODUCT OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD AND SHOULD NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE OR CERTIFIED BY STATE OR FEDERAL OFFICIALS. SHORTLY BEFORE THE JOINT SESSION COMMENCED, PRESIDENT TRUMP, ADDRESSED A CROWD AT THE ELLIPSE IN WASHINGTON, DC. THERE, HE REITERATED FALSE CLAIMS THAT "WE WON THIS ELECTION AND WE WON IT BY A LANDSLIDE."
THESE ACTIONS LED TO A BRUTAL ATTACK ON THE CAPITOL OF THE UNITED STATES
IMPEACHMENT MANAGER, JAMIE RASKIN, SAID RECALLED A QUOTE, "IN THE HISTORY OF HUMANITY, DEMOCRACY IS AN EXTREMELY RARE AND FRAGILE AND PRECARIOUS AND TRANSITORY THING."
PRESENT AT THE CAPITOL DURING THE INSURRECTION:
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE
The first in Line of Succession: Vice President Mike Pence
The Second in Line of Succession: Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
The Third in Line of Succession: President Pro Tempore Chuck Grassley
TRUMP NEVER CALLED TO CHECK ON THE WELFARE OF THE LEADERS OF OUR NATION NOR THEIR FAMILIES
"TRUMP'S EFFORTS TO RETAIN THE PRESIDENCY
Ignoring Adverse Court Rulings
Pressuring and Threatening Election Officials
Attacking Senators and Members of Congress
Pressuring the Justice Department
Attacking Vice President Pence"
After Trump and his allies filed 62 lawsuits (in 8 states) to which no court agreed that the election was invalid, Trump continued to say that he won the election. The courts had described the lawsuits as "not credible," "without merit," based on "nothing but speculation," "flat-out wrong," and "ignore the will of millions of voters." In Georgia, the court said, "Creating injunctive relief here would breed confusion, undermine the public's trust in the election, and potentially disenfranchise millions of Georgia voters." In Pennsylvania, the court said, "[T]his Court has been presented with strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations...In the United States of America, this cannot justify the disenfranchisement of a single voter, let alone the voters of its sixth most populated state. Our people, laws, and institutions demand more..." In another case in Pennsylvania, "The Campaign's claims have no merit. The number of ballots it specifically challenges is far smaller than the roughly 81,000-vote margin of victory. And it never claims fraud or that any votes were cast by illegal voters. Plus, tossing out millions of mail-in ballots would be drastic and unprecedented, disenfranchising a huge swath of the electorate and upsetting all down-ballot races too."
On January 12, 2021, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA) made a statement in support of the article of impeachment. In it, she said that "when McCarthy finally reached the president on January 6 and asked him to publicly and forcefully call off the riot, the president initially repeated the falsehood that it was Antifa that had breached the Capitol. McCarthy refuted that and told the president that these were Trump supporters. That's when, according to McCarthy, the president said: 'Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.'"
Impeachment Manager, Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), said, "Donald Trump invited them, he incited them, then he directed them." She also said, "While he was doing this, he spent $50 million from his legal defense fund to simultaneously broadcast his message to stop the steal over all major networks."
THE GOP SENATORS WHO VOTED WITH THE DEMOCRATS ON THE CONSTITUTIONALITY OF IMPEACHMENT:
Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitch Romney (R-UT), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Pat Toomey (R-PA)
OCTOBER 23, 2015
Trump encouraged violence at his rally in Miami, FL.
NOVEMBER 21, 2015
Trump encouraged violence at his rally in Birmingham, AL.
FEBRUARY 1, 2016
Trump encouraged violence at his rally in Cedar Rapids, IA., saying, "Knock the h__l out of them. I promise I will pay for the legal fees!"
MARCH 9, 2016
Trump encouraged his supporters who assaulted a black man at his rally in Concord, NC.
May 24, 2017
Trump praises a candidate for Congress who assaulted a reporter, calling him smart for body slamming the reporter.
AUGUST 15, 2017
After a violent march in Charlottesville, VA, Trump referred to the white supremacists who shouted "Jews will not replace us!" and those who stood up against the hate by saying they were "very fine people, on both sides." A young woman named Heather Heyer was murdered there.
9:12 AM JUNE 16, 2018
Trump tweets: "My supporters are the...most loyal that we have seen in our countries history."
9:27 AM MARCH 17, 2020
Trump tweets: "Failing Michigan Governor must work harder and be much more proactive. We are pushing her to get the job done. I stand with Michigan!"
10:29 PM MARCH 27, 2020
Trump again tweets to insult Michigan's Governor, calling her "Gretchen "Half" Whitmer.
11:22 AM APRIL 17, 2020
Trump tweets: "LIBERATE MICHIGAN!"
APRIL 30, 2020
EXTREMISTS STORM THE CAPITOL IN LANSING, MI., SHOUTING "TRADER! LOCK HER UP! LOCK HER UP! LOCK HER UP!" THEY WERE HEAVILY ARMED AND SIMILAR TO THE THE INSURRECTIONISTS ON JANUARY 6, 2021. IT WAS "A STATE-LEVEL DRESS REHEARSAL." THEY CARRIED CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAGS AND TRIED TO PUSH PAST POLICE.
8:42 AM MAY 1, 2020
Trump tweets, taking the side of the right-wing militant protestors in Michigan, calling them "very good people." He also spoke against her at a rally as the crowd cheered.
10:06 AM MAY 24, 2020
Trump tweets: "The United States cannot have all Mail in Ballots. It will be the greatest Rigged Election in history." ... "Trying to use Covid for this Scam!"
MAY 27, 2020
A NEW MEXICO COUNTY COMMISSIONER, FOUNDER OF COWBOYS FOR TRUMP, SAID IN A VIDEO, "THE ONLY GOOD DEMOCRAT IS A DEAD DEMOCRAT."
MAY 28, 2020
TRUMP RETWEETED THE DEADLY COWBOY VIDEO, SAYING, "THANK YOU COWBOYS. SEE YOU IN NEW MEXICO!"
IN RESPONSE, THE COWBOY SAID, "IT REALLY MEANS A LOT TO ME, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAS MY BACK."
TRUMP HAS TAKEN PHOTOS WITH THE COWBOY IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND HAS ASKED FOR HIS PERSONAL PHONE NUMBER.
7:16 AM JUNE 22, 2020
Trump tweeted: "RIGGED 2020 ELECTION" ... "IT WILL BE THE SCANDAL OF OUR TIMES!"
8:46 AM JULY 30, 2020
Trump tweeted: "2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA."
SEPTEMBER 7, 2020
Two Proud Boy Trump supporters were arrested at a Salem rally for attacking a Black Lives Matter man with a baseball bat, punches, and mace.
SEPTEMBER 24, 2020 - 40 DAYS TO ELECTION - JACKSONVILLE, FL
Trump supporter: "Before Trump, nobody knew about mail-in 'cheating.'"
OCTOBER 7, 2020
Trump criticizes the Michigan Governor again, encouraging the crowd to chant, "Lock her up!"
OCTOBER 8, 2020
The FBI arrested 13 men for plotting to kidnap and execute the Governor of Michigan and to overthrow the government. They planned to build explosives and start a civil war. Trump tweets prior to the Michigan attack on Governor Gretchen Whitmore were against her personally and against her policies. He encouraged them to "Liberate Michigan!" and punish her for the COVID-19 lockdown.
Trump tweets again to criticize her and to take credit for rescuing her, asking her for a "thank you."
OCTOBER 25, 2020
Proud Boys wearing "Stand Back and Stand By" t-shirts (adopting a Trump quote from the presidential debate) attended Trump's Times Square rally.
OCTOBER 27, 2020
Trump joked at his rally in Lansing, Michigan, about critics saying that his words had provoked the violence against Governor Whitmer. He again took credit for rescuing her.
OCTOBER 30, 2020
A caravan of Trump supporters tried to run a Biden-Harris campaign bus and other vehicles off the highway outside Austin, Texas.
8:41 PM OCTOBER 31, 2020
Trump tweets: "I LOVE TEXAS!" with a video of the caravan harassing the Biden-Harris campaign in Austin.
8:18 PM NOVEMBER 1, 2020
Trump tweets: "In my opinion, these patriots did nothing wrong," in reference to the dangerous Texas caravan.
NOVEMBER 4, 2020
12:49 AM
Trump tweets: "We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election. We will never let them do it. Votes cannot be cast after the Polls are closed!"
2:30 AM
Trump declares premature victory on camera.
NOVEMBER 5, 2020
9:12 AM
Trump tweets: "STOP THE COUNT!"
12:21 PM
Trump tweets: "STOP THE FRAUD!"
NOVEMBER 4-6, 2020
Trump supporters gather around polling places in Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Las Vegas. They yell, "Stop the Steal!"
NOVEMBER 5-6, 2020 MARICOPA COUNTY ELECTION CENTER
Armed Trump supporters protest the counting of ballots in Arizona.
NOVEMBER 6 & 9, 2020
Heavily armed men were arrested at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for attempting to stop the counting of votes.
NOVEMBER 13, 2020
Sixteen federal prosecutors tell Attorney General William Barr that they have not seen any evidence of substantial election irregularities.
9:19 AM NOVEMBER 15, 2020
Trump tweets: "He only won in the eyes of the FAKE NEWS MEDIA. I concede NOTHING! We have a long way to go. This was a RIGGED ELECTION!"
NOVEMBER 17, 2020
Two Republican canvassers in Michigan tried to "rescind" their votes to certify the election after Trump spoke with them on the phone on November 17, 2020.
5:40 PM
Trump tweets: "DEAD PEOPLE VOTED"
NOVEMBER 19, 2020
Trump invites the Republican leaders of Michigan's state legislature to meet with him at the White House to pressure them to overturn the election he lost.
Georgia's Republican Secretary of State and his wife received death threats that included reference to them deserving "a firing squad."
NOVEMBER 25, 2020
Trump calls into a Pennsylvania election hearing to declare that he won "by a lot."
Georgia Secretary of State declares in USA Today, "My family voted for Trump. He threw us under the bus anyway."
3:00 PM NOVEMBER 28, 2020
Trump tweets: "We have found many illegal votes. Stay tuned!"
8:59 AM NOVEMBER 30, 2020
Trump tweets: suggesting that the Governor of Georgia "use his emergency powers" to help him win by overruling his "obstinate Secretary of State, and do a match of signatures on envelopes. It will be a 'goldmine' of fraud..."
DECEMBER 1, 2020
A PRESS CONFERENCE
Gabriel Sterling, a Georgia election official, held a press conference in which he said, "Mr. President...Stop inspiring people to commit potential acts of violence. Someone's going to get hurt. Someone's going to get shot. Someone's going to get killed."
A DECLARATION
Attorney General Barr told the Associated Press that "to date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election."
A CONVERSATION
Axios reported that Barr told Trump in a private dining room that his theories about the election being stolen were "bullsh_t." (Trump turns on Barr.)
5:33 PM DECEMBER 5, 2020
Trump tweets: "Between Governor @DougDucey of Arizona and Governor @BrianKempGA of Georgia, the Democrat Party could not be happier. They fight harder against us than do the Radical Left Dems. If they were with us, we would have already won both Arizona and Georgia..."
Trump calls the Governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, to pressure him into convincing state legislators to overturn the election.
DECEMBER 9, 2020
Trump called the Republican majority leader of the Pennsylvania Senate to declare that there was voter fraud.
DECEMBER 11, 2020
Trump Campaign releases two new ads: "The Evidence is Overwhelming - FRAUD!" and "STOP THE STEAL!" for $50 million.
DECEMBER 12, 2020
8:47 AM
Trump tweets: "WE HAVE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT!!!"
Proud Boys wearing "Stand Back and Stand By" t-shirts came to attend Trump's second Million MAGA march in D. C..
At the march, Katrina Pierson told the crowd, "We knew that both Republicans and Democrats were against we the people. We are the cavalry. No one's coming for us."
1:48 PM
Trump tweets: "THANK YOU, PATRIOTS" and a picture of the crowd taken as he flew over Freedom Plaza in Marine One.
There was violence at the march that night involving the Proud Boys.
DECEMBER 13, 2020
5:15 PM
Trump tweets: "RINOS...allowing the Democrats to so blatantly cheat in their attempt to steal the election which we won overwhelmingly...Tens of millions of haphazardly ballots sent, with some people getting two, three, or four ballots. We will never give up!"
11:54 PM
Trump tweets: stating that Stacey Abrams has played the Governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, and the Secretary of State for "fools" and that "Consent Decree...must be opened up NOW...!"
DECEMBER 14, 2020
The Washington Post reported that the Proud Boys "sparked clashes" during the Trump rally in D.C., according to officials.
5:39 PM
Trump tweets: "Deputy Attorney General Jeff Rosen, an outstanding person, will become Acting Attorney General. Highly respected Richard Donoghue will be taking over the duties of Deputy Attorney General. Thank you to all!"
DECEMBER 18, 2020
9:14 AM
Trump tweets: "@senatemajldr and Republican Senators have to get tougher, or you won't have a Republican Party anymore. We won the Presidential Election, by a lot. FIGHT FOR IT. Don't let them take it away!"
10:17 AM
Trump tweets: referring to the Secretary of State and Governor of Georgia as "so-called 'Republicans'" as he criticized their handling of the election.
1:42 AM Dec 19, 2020
Trump tweets: "Statistically impossible to have lost the 2020 Election. Big protest in D. C. on January 6th. Be there, will be wild!"
DECEMBER 23, 2020
Trump made a lengthy phone call to pressure Georgia's lead elections investigator to "find the fraud." He said the official would become a "national hero."
6:06 PM DECEMBER 24, 2020
Trump tweets: "I saved at least 8 Republican Senators, including Mitch, from losing in the last Rigged (for President) Election. Now they (almost all) sit back and watch me fight against a crooked and vicious foe, the Radical Left Democrats. I will NEVERGET!"
DECEMBER 26, 2020
8:00 AM
Trump tweets: If a Democrat Presidential Candidate had an Election Rigged & Stolen, with proof of such acts at a level never seen before, the Democrat Senators would consider it an act of war, and fight to the death. Mitch & the Republicans do NOTHING, just want to let it pass. NO FIGHT!"
8:14 AM
Trump tweets: "The 'Justice' Department and the FBI have done nothing...They should be ashamed. History will remember. Never give up. See everyone in D.C. on January 6th."
4:44 PM DECEMBER 27, 2020
Trump tweets: "See you in Washington, DC, on January 6th. Don't miss it. Information to follow!"
DECEMBER 29, 2020
The Washington Times reported the the Proud Boys will attend the January 6th march in D.C., not in their usual black and yellow colors, but will show up "incognito" wearing all black pretending to be Antifa members.
8:59 AM
Trump tweets: "Can you imagine if the Republicans stole a Presidential Election from the Democrats - All hell would break out."
11:44 PM
Trump tweets: calling the Georgia Governor and Secretary of State "a complete disaster" and saying that they "don't have a clue, or worse."
2:06 PM DECEMBER 30, 2020
Trump tweets: "JANUARY SIXTH, SEE YOU IN DC!"
JANUARY 1, 2021
The Washington Post reported that protestors threatened violence and planned to bring firearms to the D.C. march. They also planned to set up an "armed encampment" on the Mall.
2:23 PM
Trump tweets: "The BIG Protest Rally in Washington, D.C., will take place at 11.00 A.M. on January 6th. Locational details to follow. Stop TheSteal!"
2:34 PM
Trump tweets: "A great honor!" in response to a message he retweeted from Kylie Jane Kremer that said, "The cavalry is coming, Mr. President! JANUARY 6th | Washington, DC"
JANUARY 2, 2021: PHONE CALL
Trump pressures Georgia Secretary of State in an hour-long phone call to recalculate the vote in his favor. "I just want to find 11,780 votes," declared Trump in the audiotape of the call.
JANUARY 3, 2021
The Washington Post headline was: "Bowser warns D.C. residents to stay away when Trump supporters amass downtown Wednesday." The article reported that far-right groups planned to sneak guns into the District.
8:57 AM
Trump tweets: "I spoke to Secretary of State Raffensperger yesterday about Fulton County and voter fraud in Georgia. He was unwilling, or unable, to answer questions such as the 'ballots under table' scam, ballot destruction, out of state "voters", dead voters, and more. He has no clue!"
10:15 AM
Trump retweets a message from Jennifer Lynn Lawrence: "We have been marching all around the country for you Mr President. Now we will bring it to DC on Jan 6 and PROUDLY stand beside you! Thank you for fighting for us"
10:27 AM
Trump tweets: "I will be there. Historic day!" in response to a message he retweeted from Kylie Jane Kremer that said, "BE A PART OF HISTORY! January 6th - arrive by 9AM White House Ellipse RSVP @ TrumpMarch.com #MarchForTrump #StopTheSteal #DoNotCertify"
11:32 AM
Jennifer Lynn Lawrence tweets: "BEST DAY EVER!!! Thank You @realdonaldtrump for the retweet!! It has been an honor to stand up and fight for you and our nation. We will be standing strong on Jan 6th in DC with you! We are bringing the Calvary Mr President" "@AmyKremer @KylieJaneKremer @DustnStockton"
JANUARY 4, 2021
The New York Times headline was: "Leader of Proud Boys, a Far-Right Group, Is Arrested as D.C. Braces for Protests." The leader had been arrested for destroying property during an episode in downtown Washington in mid December. He was also charged for possession of two high-capacity firearm magazines.
10:45 JANUARY 4, 2021
Trump tweets: calling Republicans "weak and ineffective 'guardians' of our Nation."
JANUARY 5, 2021
Nick Fuentes says on his internet show, "What can you and I do to a state legislator, besides kill them?"
The Washington Post publishes an article entitled: "Pro-Trump forums erupt with violent threats ahead of Wednesday's rally against the 2020 election." It reported a post that said, "Yes, it's illegal, but this is war and we're clearly in a post-legal phase of our society."
2:08 PM
Amy Kremer tweets: inviting people to join Trump and America First Women at the "largest rally ever to #StopTheSteal & #SaveAmerica" on January 6th at 7:00 AM.
5:05 PM
Trump tweets: repeating the election lie and saying, "Our Country has had enough, they won't take it anymore!"
5:12 PM
Trump tweets: "I hope the Democrats, and even more importantly, the weak and ineffective RINO section of the Republican Party, are looking at the thousands of people pouring into D.C. They won't stand for a landslide election victory to be stolen. @senatemajldr @JohnCornyn @SenJohnThune"
D.C. POLICE MADE SIX ARRESTS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RALLY.
JANUARY 6, 2021
Women for America First held a permit for January 2-8, 2021 (6:30 AM - 7:30 PM) on the Ellipse for the Trump rally on January 6th. The permit stated: "This permit does not authorize a march from the Ellipse."
A social media post stated: "THE CAPITOL IS OUR GOAL. EVERYTHING ELSE IS A DISTRACTION. EVERY CORRUPT MEMBER OF CONGRESS LOCKED IN ONE ROOM AND SURROUNDED BY REAL AMERICANS IS AN OPPORTUNITY THAT WILL NEVER PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN."
Another post said, "Today I told my kids Goodbye...Today I had the very difficult conversation with my children, that daddy might not come home from D.C."
12:43 AM
Trump begins tweeting a multitude of posts that encouraged his supporters to "FIGHT!" He called on Mike Pence to overturn the election to help him "win the Presidency." He told them to "STAY STRONG!" He ranted about voter fraud and the election being rigged. He pushed their racist buttons with statements like "Even Mexico uses Voter I.D.."
8:17 AM
Trump tweets: "States want to correct their votes, which they now know were based on irregularities and fraud, plus corrupt process never received legislative approval. All Mike Pence has to do is send them back to the States, AND WE WIN. Do it Mike, this is a time for extreme courage!"
"SAVE" AMERICA MARCH
Present were FBI-identified extremist groups such as the far-right Proud Boys, the Oath Keepers, the Three Percenters, and Holocaust deniers. Some of the same people who participated in the Charlottesville violence and the attack on the Michigan state capitol were present at the January 6th march. These events served as two dress rehearsals for the Capitol riot.
Proud Boys came with earpieces and walkie-talkie style communication devices.
Rudy Giuliani speech: "Let's have trial by combat!"
12:00 PM TRUMP BEGINS SPEECH
Trump speech:
"Our country has had enough. We will not take it anymore, and that's what this is all about."
"[Y]ou have to get your people to fight"
"And we fight. We fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore"..."You'll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength, and you have to be strong."
Trump praised Giuliani, telling him he "did a great job" and that he's got "guts."
DURING THE MINUTE BETWEEN 12:15 AND 12:16 PM
USA TODAY REPORTED: "IN THE MINUTE BETWEEN 12:15 AND 12:16 P.M., TRUMP TOLD THE CROWD TO HEAD TO THE CAPITOL AND THAT 'YOU'LL NEVER TAKE BACK OUR COUNTRY WITH WEAKNESS.' ONE MINUTE LATER, A PARLER USER WROTE: 'TIME TO FIGHT. CIVIL WAR IS UPON US." ANOTHER WROTE: WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A CIVIL WAR. GET READY!!'" DURING TRUMP'S SPEECH, THE USE OF THE WORDS "CIVIL WAR" SURGED ON PARLER TO ALMOST FOUR TIMES THE NORMAL RATE. THE PHRASE WAS USED 40 TIMES IN THE HOUR BEFORE 12:15 PM AND 156 TIMES IN THE HOUR AFTER 12:16 PM.
12:15 PM CROWD RESPONDS: "STORM THE CAPITOL!"
"INVADE THE CAPITOL BUILDING!"
Trump used the word "fight" or "fighting" 20 times during his speech. Out of 11,000 words, he only used the word "peaceful" one time.
Trump called Mike Pence out 11 times, including say, "Mike Pence, I hope you're going to stand up for the good of our constitution and for the good of our country. And if you're not, I'm going to be very disappointed in you. I will tell you right now."
Trump said "When you catch somebody in a fraud, you're allowed to go by very different rules."
12:20 PM TRUMP SAYS: "WE SHOULD NEVER EVER FORGET WHAT THEY DID"
12:53 PM INSURGENTS FORCE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE CAPITOL BARRICADES
1:00 PM: NANCY PELOSI GAVELS IN.
MIKE PENCE PRESIDES OVER THE SENATE.
1:02 PM: TRUMP HARPS ON: "A RIGGED AND STOLEN ELECTION"
1:11 PM: TRUMP ENDS SPEECH: "WE ARE GOING TO THE CAPITOL!"
THE CROWD RESPONDS: "FIGHT FOR TRUMP! FIGHT FOR TRUMP!"
1:15 PM: TRUMP RETREATS TO THE WHITE HOUSE
EXPLOSIVE DEVICE REPORTED AT THE DNC (A PIPE BOMB HAD PREVIOSULY BEEN FOUND AT THE RNC)
Keith Lee, organizer of the Trump caravan in Austen, Texas, and a fundraiser for January 6th, directed the crowd at the rally with a bullhorn. He shouted, "Y'all get to the Capitol. We need to surround this place."
1:17 PM: THE CROWD SHOUTS: "FIGHT FOR TRUMP!"
1:34 PM: HOUSE SERGEANT AT ARMS CALLS FOR HELP
MAYOR BOWSER OF WASHINGTON, D.C. REQUESTS ADDITIONAL TROOPS
1:49 PM: TRUMP TWEETS A VIDEO OF HIS RALLY SPEECH HE GAVE BEFORE THE INSURRECTION WHILE CAPITOL POLICE DEFEND LAWMAKERS AGAINST TRUMP SUPPORTERS
1:49 PM: CAPITOL POLICE REQUEST THE NATIONAL GUARD
2:12 PM: VICE PRESIDENT PENCE IS ESCORTED FROM THE SENATE FLOOR
INSURGENTS ENTER THE BUILDING
RIOTERS SHOUT: "PRESIDENT TRUMP! PRESIDENT TRUMP!" (OUTSIDE)
2:13 PM: THE SENATE IS DECLARED TO BE IN RECESS
OFFICER GOODMAN PREVENTS MITT ROMNEY FROM RUSHING THE WRONG WAY AND DIRECTS HIM TO RUN TO SAFETY
2:15 PM: THE CROWD SHOUTS: "HANG MIKE PENCE!"
2:16 PM: CAPITOL POLICE ANNOUNCE THAT THE CAPITOL HAS BEEN BREACHED
2:18 PM: CAPITOL POLICE LOCKDOWN THE CAPITOL
PRESIDENT TRUMP SENDS A TWEET THAT CRITICIZES VICE PRESIDENT MIKE PENCE.
2:24 PM
Trump tweeted: "Mike Pence didn't have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution, giving States a chance to certify a corrected set of facts, not the fraudulent or inaccurate ones which they were asked to previously certify. USA demands the truth!
2:25 PM: SECURITY ESCORTS PENCE AND FAMILY TO SAFETY
2:26 PM: PRESIDENT TRUMP CALLS SENATOR LEE'S CELL PHONE.
(IT WAS ALLEGED THAT TRUMP WAS TRYING TO REACH SEN. TUBERVILLE (R-AR) TO INFLUENCE HIM TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION AND THAT SEN. LEE (R- UT) TOLD TRUMP THAT SECURITY HAD REMOVED MIKE PENCE.)
ONE RIOTER READS TRUMP'S TWEET ABOUT PENCE OUT LOUD TO THE CROWD (OUTSIDE)
RIOTERS SHOUT: "PENCE IS A TRAITOR!"
CONGRESS MEMBERS ARE TOLD TO PUT ON THEIR GAS MASKS.
INSURGENTS MOVE NEAR SENATORS STILL INSIDE THE SENATE CHAMBER.
OFFICER GOODMAN LEADS MOB AWAY FROM THE SENATE CHAMBER.
REPRESSENTATIVES EVACUATE THE HOUSE FLOOR.
MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE GALLERY MUST WAIT A FEW MINUTES MORE TO EVACUATE.
RIOTERS SHOUT: "THEY'RE LEAVING!" (INSIDE)
"IS THIS THE SENATE?" (INSIDE)
SOME CONGRESS PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO HIDE UNDER THEIR SEATS AND TRY TO COMFORT EACH OTHER.
"THAT'S WHAT WE F______ NEED TO HAVE, 30,000 GUNS UP HERE." (ONE PERSON OUTSIDE)
"MOBILIZE IN YOUR OWN CITIES - AND TAKE DOWN EVERY ONE OF THESE CORRUPT MOTHER F______." (ONE PERSON OUTSIDE)
"NO TRUMP - NO PEACE!" (OUTSIDE)
"WE NEED FRESH PATRIOTS TO THE FRONT!" (OUTSIDE)
(NOTE THAT CAPITOL POLICE HAD TO BATTLE FOR HOURS WITHOUT REINFORCEMENTS AND WITHOUT PROPER ARMS OR EQUIPMENT.)
"TRAITORS!" (INSIDE)
AN OFFICER IS CRUSHED BETWEEN DOORS.
TRUMP REACTION:
Sen. Ben Sasse: "He was delighted" "confused about why other people on his team weren't as excited as he was."
Senior White House Officials: Trump was "borderline enthusiastic."
2:36 PM
Trump tweets: "Please support our Capitol Police and Law Enforcement. They are truly on the side of our Country. Stay peaceful!"
FOX NEWS HEADLINE READ "U.S. CAPITOL ON LOCKDOWN AS PROTESTS ERUPT"
2:38 PM
Adam Kinzinger tweeted: "You are not protecting the country. Where is the DC guard? You are done and your legacy will be a disaster."
2:54 PM
Alyssa Farah tweeted: "Condemn this now, @realDonaldTrump - you are the only one they will listen to. For our Country!"
3:01 PM
Mick Mulvaney tweeted: "The President's tweet is not enough. He can stop this now and needs to do exactly that. Tell these folks to go home."
3:06 PM
KEVIN MCCARTHY WENT ON FOX NEWS TO APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT TO STOP THE VIOLENCE.
FOX NEWS HEADLINE READ "REPORT: ARMED STANDOFF AT DOOR OF HOUSE CHAMBER"
3:11 PM
Rep. Mike Gallagher (WI) tweeted: "We are witnessing absolute banana republic crap in the United States Capitol right now. @realdonaldtrump, you need to call this off."
3:13 PM
Trump tweets: "I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order - respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!"
3:15 PM
REP. MIKE GALLAGHER WENT ON CNN TO ASK THE PRESIDENT TO STOP THE VIOLENCE.
THE CNN SCREEN SHOWED THE CAPITOL BUILDING SWARMED BY RIOTERS.
3:22 PM RIOTERS SHOUT: "FIGHT FOR TRUMP! FIGHT FOR TRUMP! FIGHT FOR TRUMP!" (INSIDE)
3:40 PM
CHRIS CHRISTIE GOES ON ABC NEWS TO ASK THE PRESIDENT TO STOP THE VIOLENCE.
THE ABC NEWS SCREEN SHOWS RIOTERS COVERING THE CAPITOL LIKE TERMITES.
3:42 PM RIOTERS SHOUT: "WE WERE INVITED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!" (OUTSIDE)
4:01 PM
REP. ADAM KINZINGER GOES ON TELEVISION TO ASK THE PRESIDENT TO STOP THE VIOLENCE.
THE SCREEN SHOWS THAT THE RIOTERS ARE STILL ON THE ATTACK.
RIOTERS SHOUT: "THERE'S A F______ MILLION OF US OUT THERE, AND WE ARE LISTENNG TO TRUMP -- YOUR BOSS!" (INSIDE)
OVER TWO HOURS AFTER THE CAPITOL IS BREACHED BY INSURGENTS, PRESDIDENT TRUMP TWEETS A VIDEO.
4:17 PM
"I know your pain. I know you're hurt. We had an election that was stolen from us. It was a landslide election and everyone knows it, especially the other side. But you have to go home now... We love you. You're very special. We've seen what happens. You see the way others are treated that are so bad and so evil. I know how you feel. But go home, and go home in peace."
4:27 PM AN OFFICER'S BODY CAM SHOWS HIM SURROUNDED BY RIOTERS ATTACKING HIM.
5:06 PM RIOTER "QANON SHAMAN" JACOB CHANSLEY CALLS OUT: "GO HOME. HE JUST PUT OUT A TWEET... WE WON THE ____ TODAY. WE ______ WON!"
HE HAD ALSO LEFT A NOTE: "ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. JUSTICE IS COMING!"
FOUR HOURS AFTER THE INSURGENTS BREACHED THE CAPITOL, TRUMP SENT OUT A TWEET.
6:01 PM
Trump tweeted: "These are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly & unfairly treated for so long. Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day forever!"
IMPEACHMENT MANAGER TED LIEU (D-CA) SAID, "TRUMP DID NOT ONCE CONDEMN THE ATTACK. NOT EVEN ONCE." HE POINTED OUT THAT IT TOOK TRUMP 3 HOURS TO FINALLY ASK THE VIOLENT EXTREMISTS TO GO HOME IN A VIDEO, WHICH HE ENDS WITH, "YOU ARE VERY SPECIAL. WE LOVE YOU." LIEU SAID, "IT TOOK HIM ANOTHER FULL DAY TO EVEN CONDEMN THE ATTACK ITSELF." IN THIS SECOND VIDEO, HE FALSELY CLAIMED TO HAVE IMMEDIATELY DEPLOYED THE NATIONAL GUARD. LIEU POINTED OUT THAT "THE NATIONAL GUARD WAS NOT DEPLOYED UNTIL OVER TWO HOURS AFTER THE ATTACK BEGAN AND DID NOT ARRIVE UNTIL AFTER 5:00 PM. TRUMP HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.
ACTING SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER MILLER ISSUED A STATEMENT "ON FULL ACTIVATION OF D.C. NATIONAL GUARD." THE STATEMENT READ: "CHAIRMAN MILLEY AND I JUST SPOKE SEPARATELY WITH THE VICE PRESIDENT AND WITH SPEAKER PELOSI, LEADER MCCONNELL, SENATOR SCHUMER AND REPRESENTATIVE HOYER ABOUT THE SITUATION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL." (NOTICE THAT IT DID NOT MENTION TRUMP.)
REP. LIEU ALSO OBSERVED THAT, "IT TOOK PRESIDENT TRUMP THREE DAYS BEFORE HE LOWERED THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" TO HONOR THE FALLEN POLICE OFFICER. TRUMP DID NOT ATTEND THE FUNERAL NOR PAY HIS RESPECTS TO THE OFFICER.
RIOTERS AT THE CAPITOL:
THE CROWD CHANTED: "WE WANT TRUMP! WE WANT TRUMP! WE WANT TRUMP!"
MAN 1: "ALRIGHT, NO VIOLENCE!"
MAN2: "IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT!"
MAN2: "THEY DON'T LISTEN WITHOUT THAT SH_T!"
THE RIOTER IN PELOSI'S OFFICER CARRIED A HIGH VOLTAGE STUN GUN TUCKED INTO HIS BELT
THE MOB ERECTED A GALLOWS WITH A NOOSE OUTSIDE THE CAPITOL.
THE INSURRECTIONISTS USED AMERICAN FLAGS TO "BATTER AND BLUDGEON" CAPITOL POLICE.
IMPEACHMENT MANAGER REP. ERIC SMALWELL (D-CA) RECALLED THAT CONGRESS PEOPLE CALLED THEIR LOVED ONES TO SAY "I LOVE YOU" FOR MAYBE THE LAST TIME.
AN OFFICER SPOKE TO DISPATCH: "WE'RE STILL TAKING ROCKS, BOTTLES, AND PIECES OF FLAG AND METAL POLE...THE CROWD IS USING MUNITIONS AGAINST US. THEY HAVE--BEAR SPRAY IN THE CROWD...PEPPER SPRAY...I NEED A RE-UP. I NEED A RE-UP UP HERE...WE HAVE BEEN FLANKED AND WE'VE LOST THE LINE."
AT LEAST SEVEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO WERE FORCED TO HIDE IN THE SAME ROOM WITH REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS REFUSING TO WEAR MASKS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. (EVEN DURING THE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL, SEN. RAND PAUL COULD BE SEEN SPEAKING TO PEOPLE, INCLUDING TRUMP'S DEFENSE TEAM, WITHOUT A WEARING A MASK, DESPITE THE RULES.)
ALMOST 200 NATIONAL GUARD MEMBERS HAVE TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS.
AT LEAST SEVEN PEOPLE DIED. OVER 140 POLICE OFFICERS WERE INJURED. MANY DESCRIBED THE INCIDENT AS BEING WORSE THAN BEING ON MILITARY TOUR IN IRAQ. THEY WERE CURSED, BELITTLED, CALLED RACIAL SLURS, CALLED TRAITORS, AND SAVAGELY BEATEN AND TORTURED. THEY WERE SPRAYED WITH BEAR MACE AND HIT WITH HIGH POWERED STUN GUNS. ONE SUFFERED A HEART ATTACK. ONE WAS CRUSHED BETWEEN DOORS. SOME WERE BEATEN WITH FLAG POLES. ONE WAS THREATENED WITH HIS OWN GUN AND HAD TO BEG FOR HIS LIFE. SOME SUFFERED BRAIN INJURIES. ONE OFFICER HAS TWO CRACKED RIBS AND TWO CRUSHED SPINAL DISCS. ONE OFFICER LOST 3 FINGERS. ONE LOST AN EYE. ONE WAS STABBED WITH A METAL FENCE STAKE. TWO OFFICERS COMMITTED SUICIDE IN THE DAYS THAT FOLLOWED. MANY MORE PEOPLE WERE TERRIBLY AFFECTED BY WHAT THEY SUFFERED THAT DAY.
DAVID CICILLINE (D-RI) READ HOW A STAFF MEMBER SAID THAT THE ATTACK "SHATTERED ALL MY SENSE OF SECURITY AT WORK. I HONESTLY FEAR FOR MY LIFE."
MR. CICILINE NOTED THAT IT IS IRONIC AND DEMEANING THAT STAFF PEOPLE OF COLOR WERE THE ONES LEFT TO CLEAN UP AFTER THE RACIST, WHITE SUPREMACISTS WHO LEFT BROKEN GLASS, SCATTERED DOCUMENTS, AND SMEARED BLOOD, FECES AND URINE THROUGHOUT THE CAPITOL BUILDING. THE SAME BUILDING THAT THE STAFF HAS CARED FOR SO WELL ON A DAILY BASIS.
CICILLINE DESCRIBED HOW A MEMORIAL TO THE RECENTLY DECEASED CONGRESSMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER, JOHN LEWIS, WAS BROKEN AND HOW THE PHOTO OF MR. LEWIS WAS GONE. HE SAID IT WAS "SHAMEFULLY DESTROYED AND ONLY A BROKEN PIECE OF THE MEMORIAL WAS FOUND ON THE GROUND NEXT TO A TRASH CAN."
CICILLINE POINTED OUT THAT THIS SORT OF INSURRECTION TO INTERFERE WITH THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER "DIDN'T EVEN HAPPEN DURING THE CIVIL WAR." BUT, "THEY DID NOT PREVAIL."
AFTER THE CAPITOL HAD BEEN SECURED ONCE AGAIN, THE CONGRESS SPENT THE NIGHT CERTIFYING THE VOTES OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE. THIS WAS PROLONGED, OF COURSE, BY THE REPUBLICANS WHO STILL INSISTED ON DOING TRUMP'S BIDDING BY OBJECTING TO THE COUNTING OF VOTES IN SWING STATES. THEY MADE THESE OBJECTIONS DESPITE THE LEGITIMACY IT GAVE TO THE WHITE SUPREMISTS WHO JUST MURDERED AND TORTURED PEOPLE IN THEIR ATTEMPT TO SEEK OUT CONGRESS MEMBERS WITH THE INTENT TO DO HARM.
JOAQUIN CASTRO (D-TX) POINTED OUT HOW THE WORLD IS LAUGHING AT OUR DEMOCRACY CRUMBLING WHILE WE PASS JUDGMENT ON THE LACK OF DEMOCRACY ELSEWHERE. OUR OPPOSITION USES THE INSURRECTION "TO MOCK AMERICA."
7:00 PM: RUDY GIULIANI PHONE CALL
RUDY GIULIANI CALLED A SENATOR: "TRY TO SLOW IT DOWN," HE SAYS IN REFERENCE TO THE COUNT OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE.
Gov. Spencer Cox (R-UT), Gov. Charlie Baker (R-MA), Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH), Larry Hogan, Gov. Phil Scott (R-VT), and Mattis, spoke out to condemn Trump's actions .
Sixteen White House staff members resigned in protest, including the wife of Mitch McConnell.
Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), and Chris Christie (R), former Governor of New Jersey, spoke out against Trump's incitement.
JANUARY 7, 2021
The Washington Post headline was: "After inciting mob attack, Trump retreats in rage. Then, grudgingly, he admits his loss." (But, he did not ever admit his loss!) Trump made "no attempt" to rectify the situation.
NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS WERE DEPLOYED FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY TO PROTECT THE CAPITOL AND THE INAUGURATION.
7:10 PM
TRUMP RELEASES A VIDEO IN WHICH HE SYMPATHIZES WITH HIS SUPPORTERS AND SAYS THAT, "OUR INCREDIBLE JOURNEY IS ONLY JUST BEGINNING."
THOSE WHO SPOKE OUT AGAINST THE INSURRECTION:
John Kelly, former White House Chief of Staff, said the attack was "a direct result of [Trump] poisoning the minds of people with the lies and the fraud." John Boehner, former Speaker of the House, also condemned Trump for the "disgrace" at the Capitol. Former National Security Advisors, John Bolton and H. R. McMaster spoke against Trump's role in the insurrection.
Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), Rep. Dan Kildee (D, MI) also condemned Trump's actions.
JANUARY 8, 2021
Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) spoke out against Trump's incitement.
JANUARY 9, 2021
BuzzFeed News reported a black police officer sat down after the racist attack and "tears just started streaming down" his face and he said, "Is this America?"
SITE Intelligence Group reported on "How a Trump Tweet Sparked Plots, Strategizing to 'Storm and Occupy' Capitol with 'Handcuffs and Zip Ties.'" This was in reference to Trump's "Be there, will be wild!" post on December 19, 2020. They quoted a social media post that said: "This cannot simply be a protest. It has to be the establishment of the MAGA militia with command offices set up, with all further militia tactical missions spreading from there." Another post said: "We will have to achieve a an actual tactical victory like storming and occupying Congress, to have the intended effect."
The Washington Post published a headline stating: "A mob insurrection stoked by false claims of election fraud and promises of violent restoration." This article reported a January 4th post on TheDonald.win that said: "If Congress illegally certifies Biden, Trump would have absolutely no choice but to demand us to storm Congress and kill/beat them up for it."
JANUARY 10, 2021
A trump supporter tweets that someone, "despite having COVID,...stormed the U.S. Capitol, Let's call Trump. He'll be happy. We're fighting for Trump."
The Wall Street Journal reported that a Trump supporter said that Trump had said, "Hey, I need my digital soldiers to show up on January 6. And we all did."
Mick Mulvaney, Former Whit House Chief of Staff, expressed his disapproval, saying it was "existential" and "wrong."
JANUARY 11, 2021
AN FBI WARNING WAS ISSUED, SAYING THAT THERE WERE ARMED PROTESTS PLANNED AT ALL 50 STATE CAPITOLS FROM JANUARY 16TH THROUGH AT LEAST JANUARY 20TH, DAY OF THE INAUGURATION.
The Washington Post reported that there was a "remarkable rift" between Trump and Vice President Mike Pence because Pence refused to overturn the election.
The Washington Post reported that Kellyanne Conway urged Trump to tell his supporters to "stand down and leave the Capitol." Ivanka Trump and Lindsey Graham along with Trump aides were trying to get Trump to "tell everyone to leave." Kevin McCarthy and Jared Kushner tried to get Trump to issue a statement for his supporters to "leave the Capitol." Trump would not listen to McCarthy, not even after "a screaming match," so McCarthy pleaded with Kushner to convince Trump to stop the violence. Trump's Chief of Staff, Meadows was persuaded by his own staff to to see Trump because, "They are going to kill people."
JANUARY 12, 2021
Trump tells reporters that his speech that incited the riot was "totally appropriate."
Vanity Fair reported that Trump tried to pressure A. G. Barr's replacement (after his resignation), Rosen, to authorize a lawsuit challenging the election. Rosen maintained that there was no legal standing for Trump's challenging the election.
The New York Times reported that "Pence reached his limit with Trump. It wasn't Pretty." Trump told Pence that "You can either go down in history as a patriot or you can go down in history as a p_ssy."
The Washington Post headline was: "FBI report warned of 'war' at Capitol, contradicting claims there was no indication of looming violence." The article reported that the day before the insurrection at the Capitol, an FBI office in Virginia issued an "explicit warning that extremists were preparing to travel to Washington to commit violence and war." They were equipped with maps of tunnels and potential rally points. Posts calling for violence included, "Be ready to fight. Congress needs to hear glass breaking, doors being kicked in, and blood from their BLM and Pantifa slave soldiers being spilled. Get violent. Stop calling this a march, or rally, or a protest. Go there ready for war. We get our President or we die. NOTHING else will achieve this goal."
Fred Upton said, "Enough is enough" in a press release. Rep. John Katko (R-NY) spoke against the role Trump played in the insurrection.
JANUARY 13, 2021
A JOINT INTELLIGENCE BULLETIN ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WARNED OF CONTINUED THREATS OF VIOLENCE.
The Independent reported that "White House insiders say Trump knew what was about to happen at the Capitol -- because of his social media guru Dan Scavino." An ex-White House and campaign insider said there was "no way" Trump would not have been aware of the plans to storm the Capitol that were circulating the internet.
Congressman Rep. Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX) spoke out against Trump's role in the attack.
JANUARY 14, 2021
IMPEACHMENT MANAGER REP. STACEY PLASKETT (D-DELEGATE OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS) SAID, " WE DIDN'T NEED MORE WITNESSES, WE NEEDED MORE SENATORS WITH SPINES." "WE PROVED OUR CASE."
JANUARY 15, 2021
THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS GATHERED TO DELIVER THE ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT TO THE SENATE. HOWEVER, MITCH MCCONNELL KEPT THE SENATE SHUT DOWN TO PREVENT RECEIVING THE ARTICLE.
The Washington Post had a headline: "Capitol Police intelligence report warned three days before attack that 'Congress itself' could be targeted."
The New York Times reported that Trump "initially rebuffed requests to mobilize the National Guard" and that it "required intervention from Mr. Cipollone, among other officials." About 1,750 National Guard troops from the District of Columbia and Virginia were deployed.
JANUARY 16, 2021
The New York Times headline was: "Capitol Attack Could Fuel Extremist Recruitment For Years, Experts Warn."
A post on the Proud Boys channel said that, "People saw what we can do, they know what's up, they want in."
The World News reported that, "Trump plans big farewell ceremony as Pence does all the work." Trump was obsessed with Republicans who voted for impeachment and questioned his aides about how to "exact revenge."
JANUARY 17, 2021
IMPEACHMENT MANAGER REP. DIANA DEGETTE (D-CO) POINTED OUT THAT THE COWBOY FOR TRUMP, A NEW MEXICO COUNTRY COMISSIONER, SAID THERE "WILL BE BLOOD RUNNING OUT OF THAT BUILDING." HE HAD BEEN AT THE CAPITOL ON JANUARY 6TH AND WAS THREATENING TO COME BACK. ON JANUARY 17TH, HE WAS ARRESTED.
REP. DEGETTE WARNED THAT A FAILURE TO CONVICT TRUMP WOULD EMBOLDEN EXTREMISTS.
JANUARY 18, 2021
AT LEAST 21 STATES ACTIVATE NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS IN THEIR CAPITOLS IN PREPARATION FOR POTENTIAL ATTACKS, INCLUDING WASHINGTON, ILLINOIS, MICHIGAN, AND GEORGIA.
THE COST OF THE INSURRECTION AND SECURITY FOR THE INAUGURATION AND THE CAPITOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WAS AT LEAST $483,988,816.
Texas woman claims she went to the Capitol because "President Trump requested that we be in D. C. on the 6th."
It was stated in a criminal affidavit that some rioters claimed that "anyone they got their hands on they would have killed, including Nancy Pelosi." They also said that "they would have killed [Vice President] Mike Pence if given the chance."
JANUARY 19, 2021
CNN reported, "Inside the fight for the Capitol: US Capitol Police officers recount being unprepared and 'betrayed.'" One officer said, "I just wanted to get home to see my daughter again."
JANUARY 22, 2021
The New York Times reported that Trump pressed Acting A. G. Rosen to appoint special counsels to investigate unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud and the voting machines firm Dominion. His refusal prompted Trump and his Justice Department lawyer to plot to remove Rosen. Mr. Cipollone and the other members of the Justice Department threatened to resign and leave Mr. Clark alone in the department if Trump removed Rosen to replace him with Trump attorney Clark.
JANUARY 25, 2021
THE HOUSE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS GATHERED TO DELIVER THE ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT TO THE SENATE.
JANUARY 28, 2021
An arrest warrant described a video in which a rioter said, "We were looking for Nancy [Pelosi] to shoot her in the friggin' brain but we didn't find her."
VARIOUS STATEMENTS MADE BY RIOTERS
"Trump wants all able bodied Patriots to come [to D.C.]"
"I thought I was following my President. I thought I was following what we were called to do...He asked us to fly there, he asked us to be there, so I was doing what he asked us to do."
"President Trump is calling us to FIGHT!" and "This isn't a joke, this is where and when we make our stand. #January6th, Washington DC."
"Our President wants us here."
"We wait and take orders from our president."
FEBRUARY 9-13, 2021
THE SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL OF DONALD TRUMP BEGAN.
THE IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS NOTICED A PATTERN IN THE VIDEOS AND STATEMENTS MADE BY THE RIOTERS. THE INSURRECTIONISTS REPEATED THE WORDS OF TRUMP OVER AND OVER AGAIN, ECHOING HIM. THEY REPEATED WORDS LIKE "STAND BACK AND STAND BY," "STOP THE STEAL," AND "FIGHT LIKE HELL!" THEY SAID, "TRUMP SENT US," "WE ARE LISTENING TO TRUMP," AND "WE WERE INVITED HERE!"
JAMIE RASKIN (D-MD) SAID "JANUARY 6TH WAS A CULMINATION OF THE PRESIDENT'S ACTIONS, NOT AN ABERRATION FROM THEM." HE SAID THAT "HOMEGROWN TERRORISM IS THE NUMBER 1 THREAT FACING AMERICANS TODAY."
MR. RASKIN POINTED OUT THE IRONY AND HYPOCRISY OF TRUMP'S POSITION AS THE INCITER OF THE INSURRECTION. HE QUOTED JUSTICE SCALIA, SAYING, "YOU CANNOT RIDE WITH THE COPS BUT ROOT FOR THE ROBBERS."
RASKIN ALSO POINTED OUT THAT 144 LAWYERS WHO ARE "THE NATION'S MOST UNCOMPROMISING FREE-SPEECH ADVOCATES...AGREE, THERE IS A POWERFUL CASE FOR CONVICTION" WITH REGARD TO TRUMP'S ROLE IN THE INSURRECTION.
RASKIN SAID, "TRUMP IS NOT CLOSE TO THE PROVERBIAL CITIZEN THAT SHOUTS 'FIRE' IN A CROWDED THEATER. HE'S LIKE THE NOW PROVERBIAL MUNICIPAL FIRE CHIEF WHO INCITES A MOB TO SET THE THEATER ON FIRE THEN NOT ONLY REFUSES TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BUT ENCOURAGES THE MOB TO KEEP GOING AS THE BLAZE SPREADS."
MR. RASKIN RECALLED A QUOTE THAT SAYS, "ANYBODY THAT CAN MAKE YOU BELIEVE ABSURDITIES CAN MAKE YOU COMMIT ATROCITIES."
TED LIEU SAID, "YOU KNOW, I'M NOT AFRAID OF DONALD TRUMP RUNNING AGAIN IN FOUR YEARS, I'M AFRAID HE'S GOING TO RUN AGAIN AND LOSE, BECAUSE HE CAN DO THIS AGAIN.
JOE NEGUSE (D-CO) MADE THE CASE THAT IT WAS TOTALLY FORSEEABLE FOR TRUMP'S WORDS AND BEHAVIOR TO LEAD TO THE INSURRECTION. HIS BIG LIE ABOUT ELECTION FRAUD TO MAKE HIS FOLLOWERS FEEL CHEATED GAVE THEM THE EXCUSE TO CARRY OUT THE VIOLENCE THEY WERE "POISED ON A HAIRTRIGGER" TO COMMIT. THEY "WERE INFLAMED AND WERE ARMED AND WERE READY FOR VIOLENCE."
NEGUS POINTED OUT HOW TRUMP WAS ATTACKING ELECTION OFFICIALS "TO THE POINT OF CALLING THEM ENEMIES OF THE STATE."
AT THE SAME TIME, TRUMP WAS TELLING HIS SUPPORTERS OVER AND OVER "YOU MUST FIGHT TO WIN IT BACK. YOU MUST NEVER SURRENDER, NO MATTER WHAT," NEGUSE SAID.
"REMEMBER, EACH TIME HIS SUPPORTERS ALONG THE WAY SHOWED VIOLENCE, HE ENDORSED IT. HE ENCOURAGED IT. HE PRAISED IT. HE TWEETED IT AND MADE A JOKE ABOUT IT AT A RALLY," MR. NEGUSE SAID. THEN HE "BOUGHT $50 MILLION WORTH OF ADS TO FURTHER PROMOTE HIS MESSAGE...THERE WERE DOZENS, HUNDREDS OF WARNINGS...HE KNEW THE RALLY WOULD EXPLODE."
IMPEACHMENT MANAGER STACEY PLASKETT (D-DELEGATE OF THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS) SAID THAT "DONALD TRUMP KNEW THE PEOPLE HE WAS INCITING. HE SAW THE VIOLENCE THAT THEY WERE CAPABLE OF. AND HE HAD A PATTERN AND PRACTICE OF PRAISING AND ENCOURGING THAT VIIOLENCE, NEVER, EVER CONDEMNING IT."
FEBRUARY 10, 2021
1:54 PM (DURING THE TRIAL)
Sen. Ted Cruz retweets a tweet about nursing terms and writes: "Orwellian: The words 'breast milk' are now forbidden. Because Science." (He was obviously NOT doing his duty by paying attention during the trial.)
Sen. Lindsey Graham claimed that most Republicans found the Impeachment Manager's presentation to be "offensive and absurd." He also referred to their arguments as "cockomamy," and "looney tunes."
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Marco Rubio, and Sen. Ted Cruz left the Chamber early during the presentation by Sen. Ted Lieu on the lack of shame or remorse by the President.
Reported that Sen. Graham, Sen. Cruz, and Sen. Mike Lee had met with the Trump defense team, despite the fact that they are supposed to be impartial jurors.
Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) complimented the Impeachment Managers' presentations as being "powerful" as they left the Chamber, yet they still doubted the appropriateness of impeaching a president no longer in office (a political procedural argument).
FEBRUARY 12, 2021
THE HILL REPORTED THAT AN OATH KEEPER WANTED TO LOAD A FERRY BOAT WITH HEAVY WEAPONS TO TRANSPORT ACROSS THE POTOMAC TO AVOID THE D.C. FIREARMS PROHIBITION. OATH KEEPERS WERE AWAITING "DIRECTION" FROM TRUMP. JESSICA WATKINS SAID, "UNLESS THE POTUS HIMSELF ACTIVATES US, IT'S NOT LEGIT. THE POTUS HAS THE RIGHT TO ACTIVATE UNITS TOO. IF TRUMP ASKS ME TO COME, I WILL."
FEBRUARY 13, 2021
THE SENATE VOTES TO FIND TRUMP GUILTY IN HIS SECOND IMPEACHMENT TRIAL: 57 TO 43. UNFORTUNATELY, THE VOTE DID NOT REACH THE TWO-THIRDS NECESSARY TO CONVICT TRUMP.
THEREFORE, HE WAS AQUITTED...AGAIN.
THE GOP SENATORS WHO VOTED WITH THE DEMOCRATS TO FIND TRUMP GUILTY IN HIS SECOND IMPEACHEMENT TRIAL:
Richard Burr (R-NC), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitch Romney (R-UT), Ben Sasse (R-NE), and Pat Toomey (R-PA)
The Louisiana GOP unanimously voted to censure Sen. Bill Cassidy for his vote to convict Trump on the same day.
ALTHOUGH HE VOTED AGAINST IMPEACHMENT, SENATE MINORITY LEADER, MITCH MCCONNELL, WENT TO THE SENATE FLOOR AFTER THE ACQUITTAL TO CONDEMN TRUMP'S ACTIONS AND TO DECLARE HIM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITOL. HE SAID THAT HE DID NOT VOTE TO FIND TRUMP GUILTY DUE TO "JURISDICTIONAL GROUNDS." IN OTHER WORDS, HE VOTED TO ACQUIT THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE THE SENATE DID NOT RECEIVE THE ARTICLE OF IMPEACHMENT AND CONDUCT THE TRIAL BEFORE TRUMP LEFT OFFICE, A CIRCUMSTANCE THAT HE ORCHESTRATED BY KEEPING THE SENATE SHUT DOWN.
THE GREATEST ARGUMENT THE REPUBLICANS USED TO JUSTIFY VOTING TO ACQUIT TRUMP WAS BECAUSE HE WAS NO LONGER IN OFFICE. THE GOP MADE SURE THAT THE TRIAL COULD NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL AFTER TRUMP WAS OUT OF OFFICE. THIS EXCUSE WAS NOT LEGITIMATE GIVEN THAT THERE IS PRESEDENCE FOR IMPEACHING OFFICIALS AFTER LEAVING OFFICE.
THERE WERE ENOUGH VOTES IN THE SENATE TO PERMIT THE CALLING OF WITNESSES. MITCH MCCONNELL CHANGED HIS VOTE AGAINST THE CALLING OF WITNESSES TO A VOTE IN FAVOR AT THE LAST MINUTE, AS A POWER PLAY.
IMPEACHMENT MANAGERS WERE PREPARED TO CALL REP. BEUTLER TO TESTIFY REGARDING MCCARTHY'S EXCHANGE WITH TRUMP ON JANUARY 6TH, BUT THE TRUMP DEFENSE TEAM (ALONG WITH MITCH MCCONNELL) THREATENED TO CALL HUNDREDS OF WITNESSES TO TURN THE TRIAL INTO A PROLONGED CIRCUS.
NO WITNESSES WERE CALLED TO PREVENT TYING UP THE PROCEDURES DUE TO LITIGATION. (WITNESS LITIGATION WAS STILL GOING ON FROM THE LAST IMPEACHMENT TRIAL.)
THIS WAS THE MOST BIPARTISAN IMPEACHMENT EVENT IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA. IT WAS THE LARGEST SENATE VOTE FOR A PRESIDENTIAL IMPEACHMENT, WITH 57 TO 43. THE VOTE TO IMPEACH WAS 232 TO 197 IN THE HOUSE.
See all the evidence presented in Trump's impeachment trial, The Washington Post
Hear what GOP senators told Tapper after Graham's remark on Fox
Cuomo: Acquittal would be 'giant middle finger' to people who saved senators
Not Surprised Some GOP Senators Left Chamber Early Because That Presentation Was About Lack of Shame
GOP Sens. Cruz, Graham and Lee meet with Trump defense lawyers
