Some of the Trump supporters were dressed in tactical attire, armed with zippers. Others held Trump 2020 flags, smashed windows with poles and erected a gallows for Pence, who was constitutionally obligated to oversee the certification of the 2020 presidential election, and the peaceful transfer of power to the Democrats.
But even after the deadly violence was seen firsthand and reminded again at the crime scene, many Republican senators on Wednesday did not look closer to convicting former President Donald Trump on the charge of ‘inciting insurgency’ .
While struck by the presentation of the indictment, these Republicans said the House Democrats did not prove that Trump’s words led to the violent action. They compare the January 6 riot with protests and criticism of racial justice this past summer how the trial is handled.
Sen. Lindsey Graham said he could not believe we could lose the Capitol that way, but added that it did not change his mind to acquit Trump during the trial.
“I think there are more votes for acquittal after today than yesterday,” the South Carolina Republican said.
Sen. Mike Braun said the drivers’ visual presentation was’ sounding ‘, adding:’ It’s just as difficult to take now as it was then. ‘ Asked if that changed his mind, the Indiana Republican said, “If you think the process is flawed in the first place, I think it’s going to be different to come to a conclusion about the facts and the merits themselves. “
“They spent a lot of time on the heinous acts of violence that the criminals played out, but the president’s language does not come close to the legal standard for incitement,” Cruz said of the drivers’ presentation. .
The remarks are the latest indication of the high hurdles the Democrats face in getting the 67 votes needed to condemn Trump – with 17 Republicans having to break the ranks if all 50 Democrats vote to oust the former president condemned and then restrained from serving again.
“I think you get six Republicans at his best – probably five and maybe six,” GOP Senator Tim Scott told CNN when asked if the video and footage changed his mind about condemning Trump. Asked if he considers himself an impartial juror, the South Carolina Republican said, “I think I’m as impartial as the other 99.”
Cassidy, who faced adversity among local Republicans for the vote, rejected the idea that GOP grumbling could affect his vote, saying, “My first loyalty is to the Constitution.” He added that he had not yet decided on a conviction.
“I’m angry, I’m upset,” Murkowski said of the video. “The evidence presented is pretty damning.”
In a speech before the Capitol disasters, Trump urged his supporters “to make your voice heard peacefully and patriotically”, but also to “fight like hell”, “never give up” and “never give up do not give. ” A few days earlier he had tweeted that ‘the’ Surrender Caucus’ within the Republican Party would go into infamous as weak and ineffective ‘guardians’ of our people, who are willing to accept the certification of fraudulent presidential numbers! “He repeatedly told his supporters ‘stop the theft!’
During the riots, Trump tried to call Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville to delay the certification of his loss, saying Pence did not have the “courage to do what needed to be done to protect our country and our Constitution. not.”
A number of Republicans appeared under the impression of the indictment managers, after they sharply criticized the president’s defense team on Tuesday for not responding coherently.
South Dakota Senator John Thune, the minority whip and a member of the GOP leadership, said the House leaders had done “effective work” and that they were connecting the dots of Trump’s words to the uprising.
“It’s obviously very disturbing to see the great violence that our Capitol police and others are being subjected to,” Romney said. “It tore you in your heart and brought tears to your eyes. It was overwhelming and emotional.”
The Republican in Utah said he was “lucky” to see Goodman there and spoke to him later on Wednesday in the Senate floor. “I expressed my appreciation to him for coming to my aid and getting me back on the path to safety.”
Asked if the scenes on display would change the minds of his fellow Republicans, Romney said: “I can not predict how other people will react.”
For most Republican senators, Wednesday’s presentation apparently had no bearing on the way they were going to vote. Many are on record as considering the trial unconstitutional because Trump is now a former president, and the penalty for conviction is removal. However, if convicted, Trump could also get a vote in the Senate barring him from serving in public office again.
Yet GOP senators, including Florida’s Marco Rubio, would just say Trump bears some responsibility for the riots, arguing that the Senate should play no role in trialing a former president.
“Who would not be?” asked Senator Ron Johnson, a Republican in Wisconsin, whether he was shaken by the footage he saw Wednesday.
But when asked if he held Trump accountable, Johnson said, “I hold those people accountable.”
CNN’s Ryan Nobles, Ted Barrett, Sarah Fortinsky, Ali Zaslav, Ali Main, Kristin Wilson and Lauren Fox contributed to this report.