The House impeachment managers have filed their 77- page brief making the case for the conviction of Donald "Mango Mussolini" Trump for the high crime of incitement of insurrection against the Republic. You can read the entire brief here (pdf), but here are just the first paragraphs of the Introduction:
"This trial arises from President Donald J. Trump’s incitement of insurrection against the Republic he swore to protect. The House of Representatives has impeached him for thatconstitutional offense. To protect our democracy and national security—and to deter any future President who would consider provokingviolence in pursuit of power—the Senate should convict President Trump and disqualify him from future federal officeholding.
"On January 6, 2021, with Vice President Michael Pence presiding, Congressassembled to perform one of its most solemnconstitutional responsibilities: the counting of electoral votes for President of the United States.This ritual has marked the peaceful transfer of power in the United States for centuries. Since the dawn of the Republic, no enemy—foreign or domestic—had ever obstructedCongress’s counting of the votes.No President had ever refused to accept an election result or defied the lawful processes for resolving electoral disputes. Until PresidentTrump.
"In a grievous betrayal of his Oath of Office, President Trump incited a violent mob to attack the United States Capitol during the Joint Session, thus impeding Congress’s confirmation of Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the winner of the presidential election.As it stormed the Capitol, the mob yelled out“President Trump Sent Us,” “Hang Mike Pence,” and “Traitor Traitor Traitor.”The insurrectionists assaulted police officers with weaponsand chemical agents. They seized control of the Senate chamber floor, the Office of the Speaker of the House, and majorsections of the Capitol complex. Members and their staffs were trapped and terrorized. Many officials (including the Vice President himself) barely escaped the rioters. The line of successionto the Presidencywas endangered. Our seat of government was violated, vandalized,and desecrated. Congress’scounting of electoral votes was delayed until nightfall and not completed until 4 AM.Hundreds of people were injured in the assault. Fivepeople—including a Capitol Police officer—died."
The brief discusses how Trump's words and actions led directly to the deadly insurrection on January 6, how he violated his oath of office and attacked the democratic process, how he imperiled Congress by his inaction for hours during the insurrection, why the impeachment is necessary and Constitutional, why he should be barred from office, and more.
BONUS: There are a growing number of Capitol insurrectionist dopes who are now using as their defense that Trump sent them. They understood Trump, and carried out his orders. Let's hope they're deposed for the trial.
(Photo: Trump inciting the mob at his January 6 "Stop the Steal" rally/ Jim Bourg, Reuters)
