Trump lawyer Van der Veen gives reasons for acquittal:
1) jurisdiction
2) Rule 23 (each allegation as separate article)
3) due process
4) First Amendment
He doesn’t mention innocence as a possibility. #VoteToConvict
1) jurisdiction
2) Rule 23 (each allegation as separate article)
3) due process
4) First Amendment
He doesn’t mention innocence as a possibility. #VoteToConvict
On reason 1) Jurisdiction: The Constitution requires a Senate trial. Trump was impeached while in office, for actions committed while in office, so that question is moot. The Senate voted to recognized its jurisdiction & ALL 100 SENATORS swore to serve as jurors.
On reason 2) Rule 23 - The argument that Trump did so many things wrong he must be acquitted because there is only one article is nonsense & shocking. The other crimes are provided as evidence of the core crime, both of Trump’s state of mind & ongoing intent.
On reason 3) due process - This is not a criminal trial, so the same rules do not apply. Nevertheless, Trump was testify; he declined. He was invited to provide exculpatory evidence; he declined. His lawyers argued process, never innocence. He had due process.
On reason 4) the #1stAmendment - inciting insurrection is not protected speech; seditious lies are not protected speech; defamation & extortionate threats are not protected speech. The 1st Amendment does, however, bar Congress from reducing the people’s right to redress.
On innocence - Trump’s lawyers failed at any time to present even a hint of exculpatory evidence. They compared Trump to the KKK & a corrupt sheriff who threatened voters & jurors. They said he should be arrested & that DOJ knows “what to do with such people.”
They have repeatedly failed to argue—even when listing reasons for which Senators might vote to acquit—that innocence was a reason for acquittal. They have deflected & spun & refused to answer when directly asked if Trump knew he was putting lives in danger on January 6.
At numerous times over several days, Trump’s lawyers lied—about his behavior, about his known state of mind, about the testimony of witnesses, about evidence presented against him, about the law, the Constitution, the process, and the actions of the House Managers.
The debased, chaotic, mendacious non-defense offered by Trump’s lawyers amounts to a solicitation of illegal acts by United States Senators in furtherance of a seditious conspiracy & giving material aid & comfort to the instigator of a terrorist insurrection.
Everyone not captured by Trump’s cult of radicalization—including every @GOP official & former Trump aide—knows that acquitting Trump today amounts to support for an attempted coup against the American democratic republic. All Senators have a duty to #VoteToConvict.
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