Donald Trump impeachment trial: Moment Mike Pence fled for safety during Capitol riots shown to Senate

The footage offered a detailed account of how the day played out

Credit: Senate Television / AP

Previous footage had shown Officer Goodman risking his own safety to lure the rioters away from the Senate floor.

Democratic and Republican senators watched the footage in silence as it was played in the chamber for the first time, with some straining to get a better view of the screen.

Many were candid about the impact it had upon them. Republican senator Lisa Murkowski, a critic of Mr Trump, said: "I’m angry, I’m disturbed, I’m sad…We’re reliving this. We lived it once and that was awful". 

She added: “I don’t see how Donald Trump could be re-elected to the presidency”. 

Democrat prosecutors spent the day building their argument that Mr Trump’s conduct was "planned and premeditated" as he cultivated a mob over months with a "big lie" that he had been robbed of the presidency.

Prosecutors argued Mr Trump incited the mov

Credit: Senate Television / AP

Jamie Raskin, opening the prosecution case in the impeachment trial, said: "Donald Trump surrendered his role as commander-in-chief and became the inciter-in-chief of a dangerous insurrection. He told them to fight like hell, and they brought us hell that day."

Prosecutors said Mr Trump’s aim had been to prevent the certification of the election in Congress that day.

As the violence unfolded Mr Trump sent tweets and "further incited the rampaging mob," Mr Raskin said.

Mr Trump is being impeached, for the second time, on a charge of inciting insurrection.

A two-thirds majority in the 100-seat Senate is required to convict him, and that seems improbable.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump was said to be displeased with his own legal team.

It came after a meandering 45-minute speech by lawyer Bruce Castor, which reportedly left Mr Trump "borderline screaming" at his television.

Republican senators said they were "stunned" and perplexed" by Mr Castor’s performance.