His description of what ensued was, in effect, witness testimony. They thought they were going to die." /oVkxJmttgm- ABC News February 9, 2021 Jamie Raskin says members of his family hid under a desk during the Capitol siege, "placing what they thought were their final texts and whispered phone calls to say their goodbyes. Raskin said he brought his daughter Tabitha and his son-in-law Hank in order to stay close during a difficult time and allow them to see what he assumed would be the peaceful transfer of power when the House certified the 2020 election results.Īs he began to get choked up, Raskin described assuring his family that the Capitol would be safe and starting the day with a sense of “being lifted up from the agony” after both Democrats and Republicans stopped in to his office to offer condolences. He described the pain his family was already experiencing after the recent death of his son Tommy, who they had buried the day before. January 6 was already an emotional day for the Maryland Congress member.
“I hope this trial reminds America how personal democracy is and how personal is the loss of democracy too.”
“This trial is personal indeed for every senator, and for every member of the House, for every manager, and all our staff, and the Capitol Police, and the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police, and the National Guard, and maintenance and custodial crews, and the print journalists and TV people who were here, and all of our families and friends,” Raskin said. He closed their opening remarks by sharing his experience of the insurrection, describing the chaos and fear running through the House. Raskin started Tuesday’s debate period with a video displaying the events of January 6 through the point of view of Trump, the rioters, and members of Congress. But those arguments were bookended with evocative appeals. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), delivering part of the House’s opening statements Tuesday, made a striking point: The lawmakers themselves are witnesses.Īs Democrats’ lead impeachment manager and a former constitutional law professor, Raskin previewed the House’s arguments for the constitutionality of the trial Tuesday, and other managers did the same for the former president’s conviction on a single charge of incitement of insurrection. The House impeachment managers have not yet indicated if they will ask the Senate to vote on calling witnesses in Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial.