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Former U.S. President Donald Trump committed "the most grievous constitutional crime" of any U.S. president when he incited supporters to storm the Capitol last month, Democratic prosecutors said Monday on the eve of Trump's Senate impeachment trial.
In their final filing, the nine House impeachment managers prosecuting the Republican leader also insisted the case should not be dismissed.
Trump's lawyers earlier denied he had encouraged the violence that they blamed on "a small group of criminals," while the Democrats who will prosecute the former president said he has no valid defense.
The charge of "incitement of insurrection" passed by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on January 13 focused on Trump's speech to a crowd of supporters shortly before hundreds of them stormed the Capitol on January 6, sending lawmakers into hiding and leaving five people dead including a police officer. The lawmakers were in a process to verify the results of the presidential election won by Joe Biden but blamed of voter fraud by Trump.
A truck advertising in support of convicting former U.S President Donald Trump in his upcoming second impeachment trial is seen parked on the National Mall with the U.S. Capitol building visible behind, in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 8, 2021. /Reuters
"The evidence of President Trump's conduct is overwhelming," the Democratic managers wrote in their brief. "He has no valid excuse or defense for his actions. And his efforts to escape accountability are entirely unavailing."
"His incitement of insurrection against the United States government – which disrupted the peaceful transfer of power – is the most grievous constitutional crime ever committed by a president," they said.
"The article of impeachment properly alleges an impeachable offense under the Constitution, is not subject to a motion to dismiss (and) is within the jurisdiction of the Senate sitting as a Court of Impeachment," they added.
Conviction requires a two-thirds majority, meaning 17 Republicans would need to join the Senate's 50 Democrats in the vote. Based on preliminary votes and public comments, there appears to be little chance of that occurring.
(Cover: Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., January 20, 2021. /Reuters)
