House Republicans defended President Donald Trump from impeachment by insisting that he never encouraged his supporters to violently storm the U.S. Capitol, but court documents show those insurrectionists believed they were carrying out his orders.
The president addressed supporters Jan. 6 in Washington, D.C., where he urged them to “peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard” by marching on the Capitol, and GOP lawmakers seized on those words in their impeachment defense — but one of the most recognizable figures in the siege told investigators he was doing what he believed Trump wanted.
“Your affiant and an FBI agent spoke on the phone with [Jacob] CHANSLEY, who confirmed that he was the male in the face paint and headdress in the Vice President’s chair in the Senate,” investigators said in an affidavit filed in court. “CHANSLEY stated that he came as a part of a group effort, with other ‘patriots’ from Arizona, at the request of the President that all ‘patriots’ come to D.C. on January 6, 2021.”‘ Continue reading.