Byron York’s Daily Memo: Democrats, Trump, and the real impeachment issues
I’ve written a lot about the extensive arguments on the constitutionality of trying a former president. I believe the best arguments support the position that the trial is indeed unconstitutional. But the fact is, the trial will go on. And at that point, the House Democratic impeachment managers will attempt to prove that then-President Trump incited a crowd to insurrection on January 6, when pro-Trump rioters ransacked the Capitol. And Republican senators will have to address that question, even if they ultimately dismiss it because they believe the entire exercise violates the Constitution.
The key to the argument will be how much weight the senators put on the events of January 6, versus the events of the two months prior to the Capitol riot. That is, did Trump, specifically with his remarks at the “Stop the Steal” rally on the Ellipse, incite the crowd to go to the Capitol, break in, threaten lawmakers, and wreak havoc on the day that Congress was to ratify the results of the Electoral College? Or does a close examination of Trump’s remarks fail to support the charge?