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

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."

Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, asked Trump's defense whether a politician raising bail for rioters encourages more rioters.

"Does a politician raising bail for rioters encourage more rioting?" the Senate clerk read.

Bruce Castor, Jr of Trump's defense responded simply, "yes."

The first question in writing at Trump's second impeachment trial came from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., to the House impeachment managers.

"Is not the case that the violent attack and siege on the Capitol on Jan. 6 would not have happened if not for the conduct of President Trump," read presiding officer Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., president pro tempore of the Senate.

House impeachment manager Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, approached the lectern on behalf of the group.

"To answer your question very directly, Donald Trump summoned the mob. He assembled the mob and he lit the flame. Everything that followed was because of his doing. And although he could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence, he never did," Castro said. "In other words, this violent, bloody insurrection that occurred on Jan. 6 would not have occurred but for President Trump."

Castro emphasized their argument that the attack "did not happen by accident" and the "mob did not come out of thin air," citing Trump's repeated false claims of election fraud and calls to his supporters to "stop the steal."

He called the situation Trump created leading up to the Jan. 6 rally "incredibly combustible."

"He looked out the sea of thousands, some in body armor, with flagpoles, some of which beat Capitol Police with, and told them they could play by different rules," he said. "Once the attack began, insurgent after insurgent made clear they were following president orders."

The Senate has returned from a roughly 35-minute break following Trump's defense team wrapping up their arguments.

The trial is now in a question-and-answer portion, where senators can ask questions of the House managers and the Trump defense team. Questions are submitted in writing by senators and read aloud by presiding officer Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., president pro tempore of the Senate.

The question-and-answer portion of the trial is not to exceed four hours over one session day.

-ABC News' Trish Turner