Trump impeachment defense wraps up case in three hours

The defense attorneys for Donald Trump have wrapped up their presentation in the former president’s impeachment trial.

Lawyers argued for three hours Friday that Trump didn’t incite the Jan. 6 rally crowd to riot at the U.S. Capitol and that his words were merely figures of speech. They say the case against Trump was a political witch hunt by Democrats and was not valid because he is no longer in office.

Their truncated defense barely used the full time allotted, 16 hours over two days. Many senators minds appear already made up.

Trump is accused of incitement of insurrection in the mob siege at the Capitol. Five people died. Senators will next be able to ask the lawyers questions when the trial resumes.

Read more of NewsHour’s coverage:

• The Second Impeachment of Donald Trump
• Read Trump’s full response to House Democrats’ arguments for impeachment
• Read Democrats’ full impeachment brief against Trump for second Senate trial
• With Senate split 50-50, here’s what Democrats can and can’t do