On January 6, 2021, backers of President Donald Trump (R, 2017-21) stormed the U.S. Capitol to stop Congress from certifying the election that Joe Biden (D) had won in November 2020. For weeks, President Trump had claimed that the election was rigged, and that morning he urged a crowd near the White House to "fight like hell." In August 2023, federal prosecutors indicted Trump on four charges: "Conspiracy to Defraud the United States," "Conspiracy to Obstruct an Official Proceeding," "Obstruction of and Attempt to Obstruct an Official Proceeding," and "Conspiracy Against Rights." The trial is scheduled to begin in 2024.Supporters of Trump being found guilty argue that the former president knowingly made false claims, tried to deceive others in blocking the certification of votes, and that his actions showed criminal intent to defraud the United States. Opponents of Trump being found guilty argue that proof is needed that he had planned to commit a crime, that he was acting within the scope of his presidential duties, and that he followed legal advice. In this "Mock Trial" format, Open to Debate enlists legal experts to act as prosecutors and defenders who present arguments that will likely be heard at the actual trial. Each side will engage directly on the evidence of the case and then be subject to cross-examination by the other. Is Trump guilty in the Jan. 6th case?

Originally released by Open to Debate, 2024. Streaming video file encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on June 06, 2024.