I Think The Criminal Case Against Trump....

For reference pic.twitter.com/GX7YBzUzRl

— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) February 10, 2021

Basically, there's an obvious contradiction between defending yourself with "I'm just a citizen talking, who can say how people will react, that's on them" and also demanding credit for having called it when they react exactly the way they did.

— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) February 10, 2021

...is being prepared in the Senate this week.

Neguse outlines how Trump created a "no lose" situation by repeatedly insisting the only way he could use to Biden was if it was stolen from him pic.twitter.com/jEyuBzgLC1

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 10, 2021

Neguse on Capitol rioters: "They were doing what he wanted them to do ... they were following the president" pic.twitter.com/ohDPbla2So

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 10, 2021

"He peddled dishonest versions of reality to suit his political needs and told supporters not to believe anyone but him. He undercut faith in democratic institutions and pushed boundaries other presidents would not have." https://t.co/DCr4nEYvjs @peterbakernyt

— Zolan Kanno-Youngs (@KannoYoungs) February 10, 2021

Yeah, well, Ted Cruz has already called it:

At the end of the day, it is not going to succeed. President Trump is going to be acquitted. In order to convict him, it takes 67 votes. There are not 67 votes. Every senator knows that, the House managers know that. Everybody knows that. But they are going through political theater and they’re going through political theater because for four years congressional Democrats, they have been obsessed and consumed with hatred for President Trump. It really defines who the Democratic Party is ...

I think it actually defines who the Democratic Party is.  This trial is going to be deadly.  And if isn't a road map to criminal charges for incitement against Trump (seditious conspiracy, whatever the prosecution thinks it can prove), then it will be more than disappointing.  In fact, I see a silver lining in the cloud Cruz casts over the impeachment trial.  Indicting a former President will be much more palatable when all of this evidence has been aired over an event unique and disastrous in American history; especially if that former President is let off the hook by a partisan Senate.

Trump should be much more afraid of this trial than he is.  This trial may convince people he needs to be prosecuted, that he is the exception that proves the rule on former Presidents and the law.