Prominent political figures react with horror to the new Capitol Hill footage
This evening, the impeachment managers in the Democratic Party played previously unseen security camera footage for the United States Senate depicting the horrifying events of January 6th, 2020. The Senate — most of it, that is — watched in rapt attention as the Trump-incited mob nearly ran into themselves on several occasions as well as appalling footage of Capitol Hill police being brutally beaten with a Trump flag.
The rest of the nation — except those whose TVs were turned to FOX — watched in stunned silence as the true magnitude of just what had happened on Capitol Hill and how close our nation came to a disaster really sank in.
Prominent political figures and media commentators were quick to offer their takes on the new revelations, especially in the wake of the news that many Republicans made it clear the spineless little wretches were going to acquit Donald Trump anyway.
Here’s a selection of the most powerful responses:
They were looking for Pence, and shouting Pelosi's name. They were carrying weapons. We were minutes away from an even bigger tragedy. And the Republican Senate still can't bring itself to condemn the man who inspired them, incited them, told them they were patriots.
— Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum) February 10, 2021
When the insurrection was still going on, it was blatantly clear Republicans knew Trump was responsible for the attack and had the power to stop it, in case you were wondering whether any of them are actually unsure about Trump’s role in inciting a riot.
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) February 11, 2021
Trump watched with delight what we’re watching in horror.
— Windsor Mann (@WindsorMann) February 10, 2021
Pure politics tweet: this presentation shows why the constitutionality argument is so important to pro-Trump Republican senators. No thinking person can watch these videos and think this attack, by Trump flag-waving, hang-Pence-screaming rioters happens without Trump.
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) February 10, 2021
Not one of them will ever feel a thing. https://t.co/0Gj8s30Ufa
— Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) February 10, 2021
This evidence is simply irrefutable. To think complicit traitors like @HawleyMO and @RandPaul have their feet up, ignoring the facts and disrespecting their oaths, the constitution, this sacred process, and the American people is INFURIATING. #ConvictAndDisqualify
— Mueller, She Wrote (@MuellerSheWrote) February 10, 2021
Do not normalize, forget, or dismiss what we just saw. The president of the United States encouraged a violent mob to overthrow the election results and threaten the physical safety of Congress, and his own Vice President.
It is the Senate's solemn responsibility to convict him.
— Robert Reich (@RBReich) February 10, 2021
Republican Senators:
The evidence is overwhelming.
And you know it.
The whole country has seen it.Do you think only Trump supporters vote?
The last election should inform you otherwise.
The next election certainly will.
— Don Winslow (@donwinslow) February 10, 2021
https://twitter.com/RexChapman/status/1359642762795241472?s=20
Rep. Castro right now making the key point: any other President would have said STOP. Trump didn't. That's all you need to know. It's fundamentally inconsistent with his Oath of Office.
— Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) February 11, 2021
This is a good way of phrasing this question. Human beings don't like cognitive dissonance. We form beliefs that justify the actions we feel we need to take. The beliefs needed to acquit Donald Trump will shape more than just this vote. https://t.co/zOMCECCTXm
— Ezra Klein (@ezraklein) February 10, 2021
