By Abba Gwale
Senators at Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial have been shown new dramatic and graphic video of the day his supporters stormed the US Congress.
The footage showed police engaging in hand-to-hand clashes with rioters and desperately pleading for support.
Officers ushered politicians to safety, sometimes within metres of the rioters breaking into the chambers.
Using Mr Trump’s own words and tweets, Democrats prosecuting the case argued he had acted as “inciter in chief”.
A two-thirds majority is required to convict Mr Trump in the evenly split 100-seat Senate, but an acquittal looks likely as the vast majority of Republican senators have remained loyal to him so far.
However, if convicted, he could be barred from holding any office again not only American President.
Impeachment managers – the Democrats tasked with leading the prosecution – methodically pieced together the 6 January attack on the Capitol.
The building was stormed after thousands gathered in support of false claims that widespread fraud denied Mr Trump victory in the November presidential election. Five people died, including a Capitol police officer.
The previously unreleased security footage revealed how rioters, including some in body armour, violently breached the building and sought out those who had gathered to certify the election result and declare President Joe Biden as the winner.
In frenzied audio, security officials were heard describing how crowds were using weapons like bats and tear gas against them.
