Hi John,

Trump’s second impeachment trial began with a graphic and terrifying video recounting the events of January 6th. The video showed Trump’s speech that morning, where he poured fuel on the fire he lit on election night with claims like, “If you don’t fight like hell, you won’t have a country any more.” Clips of Trump’s speech are interspersed with scenes of the violent mob marching to the capitol and footage of what was happening on the House floor as the capitol was breached.

The video shows, in dramatic detail, how close Trump’s mob came to the members of Congress they targeted. To watch it is to be retraumatized. That trauma is all the more painful for those who have experienced violence firsthand.

As the trial continued, members detailed the fear they felt that day. Not knowing whether they would be able to escape the mob, Rep. Eric Swalwell sent a text to his wife: “I love you and the babies.” “I imagine many of you sent similar texts,” he said.

That is a terrifying feeling. And it is one that is all too familiar to hundreds of thousands of students and teachers who have survived school shootings. It is familiar to the countless other Americans who have experienced gun violence at their workplace, their local movie theater, their place of worship, or in their neighborhood.

We deserve better. Trump must be held accountable for his role inciting the violent attack on our democracy. Then, Congress must get to work passing meaningful gun safety legislation. Email your Senators today and demand they vote to convict Trump.

Renée (she/her)