WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 07: U.S. President Donald Trump first lady Melania Trump participate in an event with students, teachers and administrators about how to safely re-open schools during the novel coronavirus pandemic in the East Room at the White House July 07, 2020 in Washington, DC. As the number of COVID-19 cases surge across southern states like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, South Carolina and Arizona, Trump joined with guests from across the country to discuss how to responsibly return to the classroom. (Image: Getty)
Former President Donald Trump rejected House Democrats request to testify at his Senate impeachment trial, set to start Feb. 9, over the charge that the incited the violent storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Trump urged his supporters to “fight like hell” to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. Shortly after he spoke at a “Stop The Steal” rally on Jan. 6, Trump supporters stormed the Capitol in order to interrupt the electoral vote count. The riots resulted in five fatalities.
Trump’s adviser Jason Miller called the trial “an unconstitutional proceeding,” in an attempt to justify Trump’s refusal to testify. Many GOP senators have argued that it is “unconstitutional,” because Trump is not currently president. Additionally, Trump’s lawyers have described the request for him to testify as a “public relations stunt.”
Though Democrats cannot force Trump to testify under oath, they can use his refusal to testify as evidence of his attempt to evade accountability. If Trump is convicted, he could be barred from running for office again.
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