How Michigan played a part in Donald Trump’s second impeachment

LANSING, Mich. – Enough senators have cast “innocent” votes on Saturday to acquit Donald Trump of instigating the January 6 deadly attack on the Capitol.

READ: The latest: Donald Trump acquitted in second impeachment

The storming of the Michigan Capitol in April 2020 was brought up multiple times by impeachment managers as an example of what led to the deadly January 6, 2021 uprising.

“The Michigan State House was basically a state-level dress rehearsal for the Capitol seizure,” said Representative Jamie Raskin.

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House managers also pointed out the short-tempered feud between the former president and Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

“After the armed siege in Lansing, President Trump refused to condemn the attacks on the Michigan Capitol or denounce violent lawbreakers,” Raskin said.

Livonia Senator Dayna Polehanki’s photo of gunmen in the Michigan State Senate Gallery is now an official account of American history.

“I certainly did not think that photo – commemorating that day – would be used by the House impeachment managers in Donald Trump’s second impeachment, but I am aware that it is historical,” said Polehanki.

She said she was not surprised to see photos of Michigan during the impeachment.

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“I think it is likely that the storming of the Michigan Capitol on April 30 was a dress rehearsal for what happened at the Capitol on January 6,” said Polehanki. “And I think the people who took care of the Capitol in DC saw that in Michigan. It happened with impunity. “

Polehanki has also called for a complete ban on firearms in the State Capitol after a ban on open carrying was introduced in January. So far, GOP lawmakers have indicated that banning open carry is as far as they are willing to go.

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