Trump lawyer Bruce Castor defends performance at impeachment trial


​Bruce Castor, one of the lawyers representing former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, is defending his performance at Tuesday’s proceedings, saying former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows encouraged him to “continue doing what you’re doing.”

“Yesterday was a pre-trial motion. It was supposed to be, according to the Senate resolution, a legal discussion on the issue of jurisdiction. We took the Senate resolution literally and were prepared to argue jurisdiction,” Castor ​said during an interview with Drumpe Wednesday.​

But he acknowledged that “the House Managers deviated substantially from the mandate and made a very strong, and direct emotional appeal.”

“I have had 35 years of reading the expressions of people’s faces as jurors, and I could see that it had hit home,” Castor said, ​referring to Rep. Jamie Raskin, the lead prosecutor for the Democrats, as he gave an emotional recounting of his experience during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.

Trump lawyer Bruce Castor said Mark Meadows told him to "continue doing what you’re doing."
Trump lawyer Bruce Castor said Mark Meadows told him to “continue doing what you’re doing.”
US Senate TV via CNP/MEGA

Castor, a former ​​district attorney in suburban Philadelphia, also dismissed reports that Trump had been angry over his opening remarks, saying that “had not been communicated” to him.

“My reaction is you need to check those sources because that has not been communicated to me by the president or anybody associated with the president,” Castor said. “Including Mark Meadows, who specifically came to the Capitol yesterday to tell me, ‘Don’t read news coverage.’”

Bruce Castor, a former ​​district attorney in suburban Philadelphia, is one of the lawyers representing former President Donald Trump.
Bruce Castor, a former ​​district attorney in suburban Philadelphia, is one of the lawyers representing former President Donald Trump.
Brandon Bell/Pool via Reuters

Meadows assured him that ​”everything is going fine” and to ​​”continue doing what you’re doin​g,” Castor said.

His rambling, 45-minute remarks in defense of Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot sparked criticism, especially after he touted the presentation of the House managers, saying he and Trump’s other lawyer David Schoen were forced to alter their presentation because of it.

Lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., prepares for the start of the second impeachment trial today.
Lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) prepares for the start of the second impeachment trial today.
Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images

Republicans also went on the record to pan Castor’s remarks after the hearing.

“President Trump’s team were disorganized. They did everything they could but to talk about the question at hand — and when they talked about it, they kind of glided over, almost as if they were embarrassed of their arguments,” said Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.).

Trump attorney Bruce Castor
Trump attorney Bruce Castor was panned by some Republicans after his opening remarks in the first day of the impeachment trial.
Joshua Roberts/Pool via Reuters

“Now, I’m an impartial juror. And one side’s doing a great job and the other side’s doing a terrible job at the issue at hand, and as an impartial juror, I’m going to vote for the side that did a good job.”

Cassidy joined five Republicans who voted with Democrats to allow the trial to proceed, dismissing assertions that Trump cannot be tried in the Senate because he is out of office.​

Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff, arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the first day of the impeachment trial.
Mark Meadows, former White House chief of staff, arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the first day of the impeachment trial.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

With Post wires​

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