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Impeachment trial – live: Trump poured ‘kerosene on the flames’ as Pence family fled for lives, Democrats say

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What happened on the first day of Trump's impeachment trial?

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The mob was just "58 steps away" as Congress members fled, hid, or put on gas moments before the mob poured through the hallways of the Senate and House chambers.

Day two of Donald Trump's impeachment heard how close Mike Pence was to being "executed" and Nancy Pelosi came to being "murdered" before they were evacuated from the Capitol building to a safe location.

Never before seen security footage showed Republicans and Democrats alike running for their lives, with Mitt Romney and Chuck Schumer shown on camera fleeing through corridors to find a safe place to hide.

Julian Castro said Trump "left them for dead" as Trump's provocations of a "stolen election" added fuel to the fire of the riots.

House managers began the second day the impeachment trial with Donald Trump's own words as they showed tweet after tweet and played video after video of the ex-president's messaging to supporters that threw "kerosene on the flames".

Democrats Madeline Dean, Ted Lieu, Jamie Raskin, Eric Swalwell and Stacey Plaskett walked Senators through a forensic retelling of the timeline to show how Trump actively "helped plan" the march on the Capitol.

The trial heard the Proud Boys followed Trump's calls to "stand back and stand by" while videos from the Save America Rally showed supporters yelling "invade the Capitol".

Dean broke down in tears as she remembered the moment rioters banged on the House chamber door: "For the first time in more than 200 years, the seat of our government was ransacked on our watch.”

The trial is adjourned until Thursday.

Key stories:

Trump legal team release statement on ‘unconstitutional’ impeachment trial

Former president's team say they will explain "why it is absurd and unconstitutional" for a private citizen to face an impeachment trial.

Graeme Massie8 February 2021 22:12

Trump election foe Fetterman to run for Senate

Donald Trump election foe John Fetterman has announced he will run for the US Senate seat being vacated in 2022 by retiringRepublican Pat Toomey.

Mr Fetterman, who currently serves as Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor, sprung to national prominence as one of the ex-president’s most vocal critics in the days after the 2020 election.

Trump election foe Fetterman to run for Senate

Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor will compete for seat being vacated by retiring Republican Pat Toome

Graeme Massie8 February 2021 21:40

Trump ally Josh Hawley expensed family’s $200 fast food bill

Missouri senator Josh Hawley spent nearly $200 (£145) worth of campaign funds to pay for food during an outing at Universal Studios Orlando.

The New York Post uncovered Federal Election Commission (FEC) records on Saturday that showed Mr Hawley used $197 (£143) of campaign funds to buy food for his family at Universal Studios vendors, including Margaritaville and Lard Lad Donuts.

James Crump has the story.

Trump ally Josh Hawley expensed family’s $200 fast food bill

Senator spent $197 of campaign funds on food at Universal Studios

Graeme Massie8 February 2021 21:15

Biden will not watch Trump’s impeachment trial

Joe Biden will be too busy to tune into Donald Trump's impeachment trial, according to his White House press secretary.

“The president himself would tell you that we keep him pretty busy, and he has a full schedule this week,” said Jen Psaki when asked if the president would watch.

And she added that she did not expect Mr Biden to be "posturing or commenting on this through the course of the week.”

(Getty Images)
Graeme Massie8 February 2021 21:01

Democrats fire back at Trump’s lawyers ahead of impeachment trial, saying he ‘betrayed the American people’

Democratic impeachment managers have responded to a brief filed on Monday by former President Donald Trump’s attorneys which urged the Senate to drop the charges against him while calling into question the constitutionality of the upcoming trial. 

In a response filed within hours of the former president’s brief, the House lawmakers described evidence against Mr Trump as “overwhelming” and added: “He has no valid excuse or defence for his actions. And his efforts to escape accountability are entirely unavailing."

Chris Riotta has more.

Democrats fire back at Trump’s lawyers ahead of impeachment trial, saying he ‘betrayed the American people’

'He has no valid excuse or defence for his actions. And his efforts to escape accountability are entirely unavailing'

Graeme Massie8 February 2021 20:44

Josh Hawley sends fundraising email about Trump impeachment trial

The Missouri Senator, who raised a fist to the pro-Trump rioters outside the Capitol on 6 January, sent the email to supporters on Monday.

“Even chasing President Trump out of office isn’t enough for them,” wrote Hawley about Democrats.

“They have to impeach him AGAIN. They are going after Trump, and they are still coming after me — both of us for the same sin: instead of protecting the elites, I stood up for the people and now I am being threatened every day by Democrats calling for me to be expelled from the Senate, and Joe Biden has echoed that I should be ‘flat beaten.’”

Graeme Massie8 February 2021 20:20

Democrats: Trump 'betrayed the American people’

Democratic impeachment managers have responded to a brief filed on Monday by former President Donald Trump’s attorneys which urged the Senate to drop the charges against him while calling into question the constitutionality of the upcoming trial. 

In a response filed within hours of the former president’s brief, the House lawmakers described evidence against Mr Trump as “overwhelming” and added: “He has no valid excuse or defence for his actions. And his efforts to escape accountability are entirely unavailing."

Chris Riotta reports for The Independent.

Democrats fire back at Trump’s lawyers ahead of impeachment trial, saying he ‘betrayed the American people’

'He has no valid excuse or defence for his actions. And his efforts to escape accountability are entirely unavailing'

Oliver O'Connell8 February 2021 20:13

Don Jr to campaign against Liz Cheney

Donald Trump Jr has said that he will travel to Wyoming to campaign against the state's only representative and the number 3 House RepublicanLiz Cheney during the 2022 midterms. 

Mr Trump told Politico about the state: “I hear it’s lovely during primary season." This comes after reports suggesting that former President Trumpis determined to take down any Republican who has gone against him. Ms Cheney was one of ten House Republicans to vote to impeach Mr Trump after the Capitol riot.

Gustaf Kilander reports.

Trump Jr vows to campaign against Liz Cheney

The Trump wing of the Republican Party failed to oust Cheney from her leadership position in a secret ballot

Oliver O'Connell8 February 2021 19:50

Trump impeachment lawyer has not met him in person

But thinks he's a "charming fellow" after their "delightful" interactions.

Trump’s impeachment lawyer thinks he’s ‘a charming fellow’ but admits he’s never met the former president

'I don’t understand what people say about him. It’s beyond me. My interactions with him have been delightful. He’s a charming fellow'

Oliver O'Connell8 February 2021 19:32

QAnon Shaman video could be used in impeachment

New video has emerged of the "QAnon Shaman" Jacob Chansley in the immediate aftermath of the attack on the Capitol building, seemingly confirming that the rioters were awaiting instructions from Donald Trump

The video - which was dredged up by internet archivists pouring over data collected from right-leaning social media site Parler just before it was shut down - shows Mr Chansely leaving the Capitol building and responding to questions from the livestreamer.

Graig Graziosi reports.

New video of ‘QAnon Shaman’ could be used in impeachment case against Trump

Mr Chansley was recently moved to a jail in Alexandria, Virginia so he can be fed organic food

Oliver O'Connell8 February 2021 19:15

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