WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawyers for Donald Trump opened his impeachment defense Friday by strenuously denying he played any role in inciting the deadly riot at the U.S.
Capitol, blasting the case against him as political vengeance and part of a yearslong Democratic "witch hunt."An attorney for the former president told senators that Trump was entitled to dispute the 2020 election results and that his doing so, including in a speech that preceded the assault on the Capitol, did not amount to inciting the violence that followed."Nothing in the text could ever be construed as encouraging, condoning or enticing unlawful activity," said Michael van der Veen, one of Trump's attorneys.RELATED: Dems wrap opening arguments in impeachment trial, saying.