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#ConvictTrump: ‘Harrowing’ Capitol riot video opens Trump’s 2nd impeachment trial, Internet says enough proof

The edited compilation of clips was touted by lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin as a 'just the facts' play by play of the events that unfolded that day

Democrats kicked off the second impeachment trial of Donald J. Trump on Tuesday with a disturbing video montage of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and now many on social media have deemed that the evidence is sufficient for the Senate to convict the former president -- thereby sparking the trend "Convict Trump."

The edited compilation of clips was touted by lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin as a "just the facts" play-by-play of the events that unfolded that day. The footage also included Trump's remarks urging his supporters to "fight like hell" while claiming that the election had been "stolen" from him, albeit the violence at the Capitol building had already begun before Trump could finish his speech. And in a video just two hours after the attack, Trump is heard telling protesters "we love you" and "you're very special."

“You ask what a high crime and misdemeanor is under our Constitution?” Rep. Raskin said after the presentation. “That’s a high crime and misdemeanor. If that’s not an impeachable offense, then there’s no such thing.”

A number of social media figures appeared to be convinced that the "harrowing" footage was enough to convict Trump. "So after watching that video footage of the insurrection attacks on the Capitol on Jan 6, I don't know how anyone could not convict Trump," commentator Ameshia Cross tweeted. "And for the #BlueLivesMatter folks where were ya'll when MAGA terrorists threatened, beat, and killed officers? And for the officers on the scene, a great deal of restraint was shown. Where we see Black kids getting killed for holding toys and Black men getting killed unarmed, these domestic terrorists with all manner of force and weapons had their lives spared #impeachment," she added.

"Watching this video put together by the House impeachment team is giving me PTSD," journalist Lourdes Navarro tweeted. "This video should be the end of this. Convict unanimously and bar Trump from holding office again," journalist Chris Geidner wrote. "This video presentation by House Democratic impeachment managers is absolutely harrowing," journalist Dave Catanese chimed in. "Every U.S. senator arguing for inaction in the face of that attack is arguing against American democracy," journalist Garance Franke-Ruta added.

Supporters of the former President have rebuffed accusations that he initiated the violence on January 6, noting he called for peaceful protests during his speech.

"I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard," Trump said in his speech. "Today we will see whether Republicans stand strong for [the] integrity of our elections, but whether or not they stand strong for our country, our country. Our country has been under siege for a long time, far longer than this four-year period."

Trump also said he would accompany the crowd as they "walk down to the Capitol" to "cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women."

"We're probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them because you'll never take back our country with weakness," he said. "You have to show strength, and you have to be strong."