The historic second impeachment trial for ex-President Donald Trump kicked off Tuesday with a montage of graphic footages depicting the scenes of chaos and violence that erupted at the Capitol building on Jan. 6.
Rep. Jamie Raskin gave emotional comments as he led the impeaching team, citing how he personally lived the frightening day, hours following his son Tommy’s burial, along with family members.
“Senators, this cannot be our future,” Raskin said. “This cannot be the future of America.”
He played a 13-minute video before the chamber’s eyes showing the rioters on the way to the siege, marching on the Capitol, battling cops, and also the moment a rioter was gunned down by officers.
The gruesome scene of the shooting was unbearable for some including Dem. Senator Cory Booker who covered his eyes and Sen. Joe Manchin, West Virginia Democrat, shook his head when Trump appeared telling supporters “We love you. You’re very special.”
“The sounds of the montage seemed to echo a lot more in the chamber, filling it with the screams and yells of the mob,” a reporter said.
“When the video concluded, it was silent in the chamber,” the source said adding that the Senate chamber’s acoustics amplified the sounds and their impact.
In the meanwhile, some Republicans looked away, down at papers, or just doodled as the video played: Rick Scott, Rand Paul, Tom Cotton, and Marco Rubio who were all spotted wearing frowns.
