WATCH: Trump ‘knew exactly what he was doing’ ahead of Capitol attack, Rep. Raskin says

Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., spoke Feb. 11 as House impeachment managers continued to present evidence for why the Senate should convict former President Donald Trump of inciting an insurrection for his role in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Trump was impeached by the House in January, while he was still in office.

Raskin argued that Trump has a history about encouraging supporters who engage in violence. After a group was arrested in October for plotting to kidnap Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Trump continued to verbally attack her. Trump’s failure to condemn that violence, Raskin argued, set the stage for the Jan. 6 attack.

“Trump knew exactly what he was doing in inciting the January 6th mob. Exactly. He had just seen how easily his words and actions inspired violence in Michigan,” Raskin said. “He sent a clear message to his supporters. He encouraged planning and conspiracies to take over Capitol buildings and threaten public officials who refused to bow down to his political will.”

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