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Jamie Raskin in tears recalling daughter’s words in Capitol riot, Internet calls him ‘conscience of Congress’

He had assured his family they would be safe at the Capitol -- and was forced to apologize to them for being wrong after they were reunited

As the second impeachment trial of President Donald J. Trump began on Tuesday, lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin told lawmakers that the proceedings were personal for every member of the Capitol Hill community. Raskin himself became emotional as he recounted how he was separated from his family during the violent siege of January 6.

The Maryland Congressman began the trial with a disturbing video montage of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The edited compilation of clips was touted as a straightforward 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."

“I hope this trial reminds Americans how personal democracy is,” Raskin told Senators, before recalling how his youngest daughter, Tabitha, and his son-in-law, Hank, were with him at the Capitol on January 6.

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“It was the day after we buried her brother, our son Tommy -- the saddest day of our lives,” Raskin said. He recalled that he had assured his family they would be safe at the Capitol -- and was forced to apologize to them for being wrong after they were reunited following the riots. Raskin said he promised his daughter “it would not be like this again." However, his daughter declared: “Dad, I don’t want to come back to the Capitol.” The congressman broke down in tears as he remembered his daughter’s words.

“Senators, this cannot be the future of America,” Raskin said as he choked up. “We cannot have presidents inciting and mobilizing mob violence against our government and our institutions because they refuse to accept the will of the people under the Constitution of the United States.”

Several prominent social media figures showered praise on the Maryland Democrat, with one even branding him as the "conscience of the Congress."

"Did not expect to find myself crying during opening statements. @RepRaskin emerges as the conscience of the Congress, sharing that he came to work on Jan 6 despite the loss of his son to ensure a peaceful transfer of power & was separated from his daughter & SIL by the attack," journalist Joyce Alene tweeted.

"Lord, @RepRaskin’s deeply personal experience of Jan 6, days after his son’s death and with his youngest daughter with him in the Capitol, is just heart-wrenching," CNN's Jim Sciutto added.

"Rep. Jamie Raskin is discussing how his daughter was at the Capitol on Jan 6 - the day after they buried his son. It is truly incredible that Raskin is able to function and act as lead impeachment manager in the midst of so much grief," reporter Grace Segers wrote.

"I am full of gratitude to @RepRaskin that after such personal loss and tragedy, he is able to put country first and perform this defense of our democracy and rule of law," commentator Anna Navarro-Cardenas added.