Wednesday marked the second day of the second impeachment trial in the Senate for Donald Trump, with Democratic impeachment managers presenting never before seen video footage from the Capitol attack that shed light onto the horrific details of the events of that day.
Particularly, the videos reveal moments when lawmakers are evacuated as rioters breach the Capitol: specifically, Vice President Mike Pence, then-Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and GOP Senator Mitt Romney.
Security footage demonstrated on day two of Trump's second impeachment showed the moment the mob stormed the Capitol, breaking through windows and carrying Confederate and Trump flags.
Never-before-seen security footage from the U.S. Capitol shows the violent pro-Trump mob overwhelming officers and breaching the building. pic.twitter.com/MiWfLZzqTh
— The Recount (@therecount) February 10, 2021
Newly released security video shows then-Senate Minority Leader Schumer being escorted down a hallway by his security details and then turning around and being rushed in the opposite direction.
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 10, 2021
Officers then barricade themselves against the door. pic.twitter.com/Nd6os6bKV7
Security footage shows former Vice President Mike Pence and his family being evacuated from the U.S. Capitol after rioters breached the building on January 6.pic.twitter.com/KFUDK50MEg
— Norah O'Donnell 🇺🇸 (@NorahODonnell) February 10, 2021
One of the videos demonstrates rioters rushing through Capitol hallways and ominously calling House Speaker Nancy Pelosi by the name.
"Naaaaancy. Oh, Naaaaancy." “Where are you Nancy?” - Part of video shown during impeachment trial.
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) February 10, 2021
pic.twitter.com/CwDR5tUm9V
Following the attack, Capitol police officer Eugene Goodman received special appreciation for his actions when he alone had to redirect the pro-Trump attackers forcing their way through Capitol hallways. As he managed to get away from the rioters, he appeared to "save Mitt Romney's life" as he told him to flee, when he met the senator in the hallway.
Security camera footage shows Capitol police officer Eugene Goodman leading Sen. Mitt Romney away from incoming insurrectionists pic.twitter.com/MO2OWr34lS
— BuzzFeed News (@BuzzFeedNews) February 10, 2021
If you're watching the #TrumpImpeachmentTrial, here's our split-screen video showing two angles of Officer Eugene Goodman leading the Capitol rioters away from lawmakers. pic.twitter.com/f1QmvtykpA
— ProPublica (@propublica) February 10, 2021
Among the video evidence, Democrats also presented audio recordings from police radio of the 6 January events. Police officers are heard saying that rioters were "throwing metal poles at us … they’re starting to throw explosives, fireworks material".
Metropolitan Police dispatch from the Capitol attack made public for the first time:
— The Recount (@therecount) February 10, 2021
“They’re throwing metal poles at us … they’re starting to throw explosives, fireworks material.” pic.twitter.com/hzJ7M9OezM
Representative Stacey Plaskett also said that the march from the Ellipse to the Capitol was not authorised until Trump intervened.
"It was not till after President Trump and his team became involved in the planning that the march from the Ellipse to the Capitol came about", Plaskett told the Senate.
"The march from the Ellipse was not permitted," @StaceyPlaskett says. "It was not till after President Trump and his team became involved in the planning that the march from the Ellipse to the Capitol came about."
— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) February 10, 2021
WOW. pic.twitter.com/vPmToqScXN
Before presenting the new videos, House impeachment managers warned that the content they were about to show could not be suitable for children.
"We do urge parents and teachers to exercise close review of what young people are watching here, and please watch along with them if you're allowing them to watch," Jamie Raskin, one of the managers, said. "The impeachment managers will try to give warnings before the most graphic and disturbing violence."
During the second day of the trial, Trump was labeled 'inciter-in-chief', as impeachment managers argued that he incited the deadly insurrection on 6 January. The House managers urged the Senate to vote to convict Trump.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Senate decided that the impeachment trial against a former president is constitutional, with all Democrats and six Republicans voting yes. In order to convict Trump, however, at least 17 Republican votes are needed - something that many observers say is unlikely to happen.
Trump vehemently denied his responsibility in the deadly Capitol siege violence, while his legal defense team continues to claim that the impeachment is unconstitutional.