US Capitol rioters repeatedly testify "We followed Trump's orders"

[Image source= AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Byunghee Park] It has been confirmed that many of the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on the 6th (local time) acted under the orders of former President Donald Trump.

According to the AP News on the 23rd, at least five individuals testified that they stormed the Capitol following orders from then-President Trump. The news agency reported that these testimonies could serve as crucial evidence in the upcoming Senate impeachment trial.

Former President Trump was impeached on charges of inciting insurrection. He is accused of inciting his supporters to storm the congressional Capitol. Therefore, the testimonies from rioters stating they followed Trump's orders could work against him.

A protester named Jacob Anthony Chansley testified to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that "at the president's request, I went to Washington D.C. on the 6th with other patriots from Arizona," and Robert Bauer, a man from Kentucky, also said, "President Trump told us to do so, so we marched to the Capitol."

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the impeachment resolution against former President Trump on the 13th with 232 votes in favor and 197 against, and the Senate is currently preparing for the impeachment vote. However, the timing of the Senate vote has not yet been finalized.

Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell reportedly expressed in a phone meeting on the 21st that he supports postponing the Senate vote until February.