Trump impeachment trial live updates: Biden says charge 'not in dispute' in 1st comments on acquittal

Sens. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., and Tim Scott, R-S.C., asked Trump's defense lawyers if this wasn't just a "political show trial" "designed to discredit Trump and his policies and shame the 74 million Americans who voted for him" because the "appropriate persons" are already being held accountable in court already.

Trump's lawyer Bruce Castor answered by saying, "that's precisely what the 45th president believes this gathering is about."

Castor reiterated that federal authorities are continuing to prosecute those who invaded the Capitol on Jan. 6, and that the trial has "no sanction available under the Constitution in our view" because Trump no longer holds political office.

Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., asked the House managers, "Is there evidence that President Trump knew or should have known that his tolerance of anti-semitic hate speech, combined with his own rhetoric, could incite the kind of violence we saw January 6?"

Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-Virgin Islands, argued that a series of Trump's tweets and speeches prior "pattern and practice" of encouraging violence contributed to the violent assault on the Capitol.

"Donald Trump has a long history praising and encouraging violence, as you saw. He has espoused hateful rhetoric himself. He has not just tolerated it, but he’s encouraged hateful speech by others. He has refused, as you saw in the September debate, that interview, to condemn extremists and white supremacist groups like the Proud Boys," Plaskett said. "And he has, at every opportunity, encouraged and cultivated actual violence by these groups."

Plaskett argued that Trump "deliberately encouraged" protesters to engage in violence by calling them to the rally on Jan. 6.

Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowksi of Alaska, one of six Republicans to vote Tuesday the trial is constitutional, asked in writing when did Trump learn of the breach of the Capitol and what specific actions did he take to bring the rioting to an end. She also asked that they be "as detailed as possible."

Trump attorney Michael van der Veen answered for the defense but did not provide a clear answer of Trump's action, pointing to an afternoon tweet before slamming the managers' case.

"With the rush to bring this impeachment, there's been absolutely no investigation into that, and that’s the problem with this entire proceeding. The House managers did zero investigation and the American people deserve a lot better than coming in here with no evidence -- hearsay on top of hearsay on top of reports that are of hearsay. Due process is required here and that was denied," he said.

However, party leaders agreed before the trial that due process was reached, according to multiple statements from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. House managers have also argued that the senators, acting as jurors, were all witnesses to the attack.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., asked if it was true that in the months leading up to Jan. 6 dozens of courts, including federal and state courts, rejected Trump's campaign efforts to overturn the election.

"That is true," Lead House Manager Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said. "I want to be clear though that we have absolutely no problem with President Trump having pursued his belief that the election was being stolen."

Raskin went on to reiterate that Trump lost in 61 straight cases in federal and state courts, including courts in Pennsylvania, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada and Wisconsin.

"When he crossed over from non-violent means, no matter how ridiculous or absurd -- that's fine, he's exercising his rights," Raskin added. "To inciting violence. That's what this trial is about."