Trump committed 'most grievous constitutional crime' -- Democratic prosecutors

Donald Trump committed the “most grievous constitutional crime” of any US president when he incited supporters to storm the Capitol last month, Democratic prosecutors say on the eve of his Senate impeachment trial.

In their final filing before the Senate’s 100 members sit in judgment of Trump, the nine House impeachment managers prosecuting the Republican leader also insist that the case should not be dismissed.

Trump’s lawyers pushed for a dismissal in a document released hours earlier, saying the Senate “lacks jurisdiction” to try Trump, who left office on January 20, because he is no longer a sitting president.

The Democratic managers directly reject the argument and say there is “overwhelming” evidence of impeachable high crimes and misdemeanors.

Rioters loyal to then-US president Donald Trump storm the US Capitol in Washington, January 6, 2020. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)

“His incitement of insurrection against the United States government — which disrupted the peaceful transfer of power — is the most grievous constitutional crime ever committed by a president,” they say.

“The article of impeachment properly alleges an impeachable offense under the Constitution, is not subject to a motion to dismiss (and) is within the jurisdiction of the Senate sitting as a Court of Impeachment,” they write.

The five-page filing comes as Republicans prepare to circle the wagons around the former president and ensure that he is acquitted of the single article of impeachment for “incitement of insurrection.”

There is also mounting pressure for a rapid conclusion to the trial so that the Senate can turn to legislative priorities, including President Joe Biden’s massive coronavirus relief package.