Sign up for our daily briefing
Make your busy days simpler with Axios AM/PM. Catch up on what's new and why it matters in just 5 minutes.
Stay on top of the latest market trends
Subscribe to Axios Markets for the latest market trends and economic insights. Sign up for free.
Sports news worthy of your time
Binge on the stats and stories that drive the sports world with Axios Sports. Sign up for free.
Tech news worthy of your time
Get our smart take on technology from the Valley and D.C. with Axios Login. Sign up for free.
Get the inside stories
Get an insider's guide to the new White House with Axios Sneak Peek. Sign up for free.
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Catch up on coronavirus stories and special reports, curated by Mike Allen everyday
Want a daily digest of the top Denver news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Denver
Want a daily digest of the top Des Moines news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Des Moines
Want a daily digest of the top Twin Cities news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Twin Cities
Want a daily digest of the top Tampa Bay news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Tampa Bay
Want a daily digest of the top Charlotte news?
Get a daily digest of the most important stories affecting your hometown with Axios Charlotte
Security forces respond with tear gas after Trump's supporters breached the Capitol security. Photo: Probal Rashid/Getty Images
House impeachment managers wrapped up their case against Donald Trump on Thursday by driving home the evidence they believe shows the former president committed the impeachable offense of "incitement of insurrection."
The big picture: House managers closed their final day with words and footage of the rioters at the U.S. Capitol, arguing that the siege was carried out at the direction of the former president. They warned that Trump could incite violence again if he is not barred from holding office.
Highlights:
- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Thursday said she will introduce legislation to give a Gold Medal to U.S. Capitol Police for their efforts on Jan. 6, stating, "The outstanding heroism and patriotism of our heroes deserve and demand our deepest appreciation."
- House manager Rep. Diana DeGette began Thursday's presentation by playing video clips from the perspective of "Stop the Steal" rally-goers and rioters — as well as online chatter from extremists — describing their belief that the president "invited" and encouraged them to invade the Capitol.
- Lead manager Rep. Jamie Raskin played video clips dating back to the 2016 presidential campaign in which Trump endorsed and defended violence by his supporters.
- "Is there any political leader in this room who believes that if he is ever allowed by the Senate to get back into the Oval Office, Donald Trump would stop inciting violence to get his way? Would you bet the lives of more police officers on that?" Raskin concluded.
- Impeachment manager Rep. Ted Lieu highlighted the president's videotaped response to the riot, in which he told rioters to "go home," adding he loves them and that their "incredible journey is only just beginning."
- Lieu listed former top Trump administration officials who directly tied the Capitol violence to the former president's rhetoric, including former chiefs of staff Mick Mulvaney and John Kelly, former Attorney General Bill Barr, and former Defense Secretary James Mattis. Lieu also pointed to the wave of staff resignations after Jan. 6.
- House manager Rep. David Cicilline aired testimonials from lawmakers describing how they barricaded their doors to block off rioters, removed their pins identifying them as members of Congress and called their loved ones to possibly say goodbye.
- House manager Rep. Joaquin Castro focused on long-term security concerns that have stemmed from Jan. 6, including the perceived vulnerability of the U.S. government and adversaries like Russia and China exploiting the attack on American democracy for propaganda.
- Raskin capped off his comments for the day with a plea to Republicans to exercise their "common sense" when it comes time to vote, and signed off: "Good luck in your deliberations."
The big picture: It's still unlikely that Democrats will be able to convince at least 17 Republican senators to vote to convict Trump of inciting the Capitol siege.
- But by overwhelming them with harrowing images of the danger that nearly consumed them, the managers are committed to making their vote as difficult as possible.
What to watch: Trump’s legal team is expected to argue that he should be acquitted on Friday, setting up a final vote this weekend.
Catch up quick:
- Feb. 9, day 1: Senate votes trial is constitutional
- Feb. 10, day 2: House managers air unseen riot footage in opening arguments