Fox News
- Trump impeachment lawyer David Schoen seemed to make a gaffe that undermined his boss’ defense.
- Schoen went on Fox News Tuesday night to try and refute the notion Trump incited the Capitol siege.
- He ended up doing the opposite, saying Democrats cannot be incited as easily as Trump supporters.
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One of former President Donald Trump’s impeachment attorneys inadvertently implied that his boss’ followers are more prone to violence than those of the Democrats would be.
The comments from David Schoen came during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night.
—Justin Baragona (@justinbaragona) February 10, 2021
“Well how do you make the argument that at a rally, the words of a president to ‘peacefully and patriotically’ march to the Capitol so your voices are heard – how do you make the argument that that incited an insurrection, when in fact it was all apparently planned out ahead of time according to all of these varying sources now?” Hannity said, referring to the one line in Trump’s speech some Republicans have picked out to claim there was no incitement.
Much of Hannity’s show up until that point involved the opinion host positing a series of “what about” examples in Trump’s defense, showing clips of Democrats using hyperbolic or incendiary rhetoric.
“But your point is, they’re using rhetoric that is just as inflammatory, or more so,” Schoen said. “The problem is, they don’t really have followers, you know, their dedicated followers, when they give their speeches.”
"So many people want to tie it to Donald Trump ... It's just a silly argument," Schoen later continued. "It's not tied to Trump or his speech whatsoever."
House impeachment managers began Tuesday's proceedings by playing a video that showed multiple instances of rioters saying they were storming the Capitol because of Trump, checking his Twitter, and telling outnumbered Capitol Police officers that they were "listening to Trump, your boss."
—Rev. Jacqui Lewis, PhD (@RevJacquiLewis) February 10, 2021
While Schoen was ostensibly appearing on "Hannity" to defend the former president, his comments on Democrats not having the same capacity for violence quickly raised eyebrows online.
—Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) February 10, 2021
—Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) February 10, 2021
"This...is not a defense," former FBI special agent and lawyer Asha Rangappa tweeted in response to the Hannity clip. "In fact, the House Managers should present this as a concession by his lawyers about the authority and influence the speaker (Trump) had over his audience, which only increases, not lessens, his culpability."
With the expected absence Wednesday of Trump's other impeachment attorney, Bruce Castor Jr. - who was mocked for his meandering and incoherent opening argument on Tuesday - Schoen will take on a more prominent role as the trial continues.