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- No witnesses will be heard in the impeachment process against former US President Donald Trump.
- This will continue the process for up to four hours with closing arguments, after which a vote on impeachment is expected.
- Proceedings on Trump’s responsibility for storming the Capitol on January 6 could end on Saturday.
Previously, the parliamentary chamber had surprisingly come out in favor of the basic possibility of hearing witnesses. It was primarily about a phone call from Trump with the Republican minority leader in the House of Congress, Kevin McCarthy, during the assault on the Capitol on January 6.
Prosecutors wanted to hear from Republican Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler on this phone call, which Trump presumably could compound further due to allegedly indifferent comments about the Capitol assault. Instead, a statement from her was incorporated into the evidence.
Prosecutors call for Trump to be convicted
The process will now continue with the final arguments. In this, prosecutors called for Donald Trump to be convicted. The burden of proof for Trump’s responsibility for storming the Capitol by his supporters on January 6 was “overwhelming and irrefutable,” said Chief Attorney Jamie Raskin. Raskin argued that the then president called the mob to Washington, pushed the crowd, and then lit the fire.
Even after the assault on the Parliament building began, Trump did nothing to stop the attack, Raskin added. Trump had shown no remorse but “delighted” with the violence, he said. It is a grave disrespect for your oath. He was not the commander-in-chief of the armed forces that day, but the “main instigator” of the mob, according to Raskin. “Trump supported the actions of the mafia,” he said.
Verdict expected for Saturday
Trump’s defense attorneys have denied the prosecution’s charges as “absurd and monstrous lies.” They also argue that the impeachment is unconstitutional because Trump is no longer in office.
Trump had stirred up his supporters on January 6 before storming the Capitol at a rally in which they had stolen his election victory. Among other things he said: “If you don’t fight like the devil, you will have no more land.” Therefore, prosecutors accuse him of “inciting a riot”.
A vote on the position is expected on Saturday. So far everything seems like an acquittal for Trump. For a conviction, 17 Republicans would have to join the 50 Democrats in the Senate, which is not predictable.
