Trump's impeachment defense team argues his words before riot ...

On the contrary, as Democratic House managers said during their arguments, rioters were overwhelmingly tied to right-wing extremist groups like the Proud Boys.Later, Schoen argued that Trump had been denied due process in the House's speedy impeachment vote and accused the managers of manipulating some of the evidence they presented during the arguments over the last two days.The lawyers repeatedly said the impeachment fell short of the high legal standards expected in a criminal case, even though impeachment is a political process, not a legal one, and the Senate is not a court of law.The short allotment used by Trump's legal team means the trial is likely headed to a quick conclusion.And because neither side is expected to request witnesses, closing arguments — and a final vote on conviction — could happen before the weekend is over.Both sides are eager to move on, with Democrats needing Senate floor time to advance their Covid-19 relief bill and Republicans eager to put the trial and the uncomfortable questions it raises behind them.Trump's defense came one day after Democratic House impeachment managers concluded their case against Trump by focusing on the damage his supporters caused at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and that he could incite further violence if he is not convicted.That marked the end of two days of methodical and at times emotionally wrenching presentations from Democrats that included the showing of graphic and devastating never-before-seen footage from inside the Capitol during the riot.It would take 67 senators — including at least 17 Republicans — to convict Trump.Already this week, 44 of the 50 Republicans in the Senate have voted to declare the entire proceedings unconstitutional because Trump is no longer president, making it unlikely that any evidence would persuade them.However, the question-and-answer phase of the trial later Friday could indicate more clearly what some Republican senators are thinking.Trump is the first president to have been impeached twice by the House, and he is the first former president to be put on trial in the Senate.