House impeachment managers, led by Acting Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives Tim Blodgett (L), walk through National Statuary Hall on their way to the Senate chamber
Credit: EPA
Six Republicans joined all 50 Democrats to vote in favour of allowing the trial to proceed. The tally included Bill Cassidy, a Republican senator who defected from his previous position on the issue to join the Democrats.
But the strong Republican opposition to the trial seemed to all but guarantee that Mr Trump will ultimately avoid conviction. Some 16 Republicans would have to join with all 50 Democrats in order to convict Mr Trump.
The House managers said the case against Mr Trump would be "devastating" and they would introduce new evidence. Mr Raskin said: "Our case is based on cold, hard facts."
A number of Republican senators were heavily critical of the defence’s performance, with Senator Cassidy calling Mr Trump’s legal team "disorganised". The Louisiana senator added that it was "almost like they were embarrassed" of their arguments.
Two other Republican allies of Mr Trump, senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, also attacked the former president’s lawyers. Mr Cornyn said one lawyer just "rambled on and on". Mr Cruz said: "I don’t think the lawyers did the most effective job."
Later, Mr Raskin broke down as he described his own experience on Jan 6. He said: "People were calling their loved ones to say goodbye. They thought they were going to die. Officers ended up with head damage and brain damage. An officer had a heart attack. An officer lost three fingers. Two officers have taken their own lives.
"Senators, this cannot be our future. This cannot be the future of America."
Bruce Castor, representing Mr Trump, denounced the rioters who breached the "citadel of our democracy". He said: "To have it attacked is repugnant. The loss of life is horrific. Those responsible should be prosecuted to the fullest extent."
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