Rioters acting on Trump’s orders, Democrats say at impeachment trial

Members of the National Guard patrol the area outside of the US Capitol. Picture: Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Democrats prosecuting Donald Trump’s impeachment said the Capitol invaders believed they were are acting on “the president’s orders” to storm the building and stop the joint session of Congress that was certifying Joe Biden’s election.

The prosecutors are wrapping up their opening presentation, describing in stark, personal terms the horror they faced that day and drilling down on the public and explicit instructions Mr Trump gave his supporters — both in the weeks before the January 6 attack and at his midday rally that unleashed the mob on the Capitol.