Yesterday was the first full day of Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial in the United States Senate.

What anyone following along saw and heard was a stunning distillation of Trump’s inflammatory actions leading up to the deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6:

• Trump conceived and perpetuated the Big Lie that the election was being “stolen” from him.

• Trump directly incited the murderous attack on the Capitol based on the Big Lie.

• Trump’s words and actions, on and prior to January 6, resulted in his unhinged adherents very nearly encountering members of Congress and the vice president — who they may have then assassinated — as they raided the Capitol.

• Trump — in utter dereliction of his sworn duty as president — did not lift a finger to protect the Capitol and everyone in it (including law enforcement personnel, who he claims to support) as his savage mob overran the building.

More than a few Republican senators are still — still — under Trump’s thrall.

Like Senator Josh Hawley from Missouri. On January 6, Hawley was infamously captured on video raising his fist in salute to the seditious rioters outside the Capitol. During the trial yesterday, Hawley made sure he was seen performing disinterest — putting his feet up on the seat in front of him and doing assorted paperwork.

And Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, whose reaction to yesterday’s undeniably powerful evidence was to make this absurd claim: “I think there’s more votes for acquittal after today than there was yesterday.”

But the Senate’s top Republican, Mitch McConnell, hasn’t yet completely foreclosed on doing the right thing and voting to convict Trump.

Mitch McConnell has reportedly signaled to other Republicans that the vote is a matter of conscience and has suggested that he hasn’t already made up his mind how he’ll vote.

Now, Mitch McConnell is, to put in generously, wily. So none of us should be one tiny bit surprised if he ends up voting NOT to convict Trump.

But if McConnell DOES decide to convict Trump, there’s a good chance other Republican senators will follow his lead.

So let’s give this a shot.

Tell Mitch McConnell:

You know Trump is guilty. Do the right thing. Vote to convict Donald Trump.

Add your name.

Thank you for taking action.

For justice,

- Robert Weissman, President of Public Citizen

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