The House charged him with “inciting violence against the government of the United States.” Trump was charged with encouraging the rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6. On that day, Congress was meeting at the Capitol to officially declare the winner of the 2020 presidential election.
Nearby, Trump spoke at a big protest rally. During his speech, he falsely claimed that he had won the election. He also urged his supporters to walk to the Capitol. “If you don’t fight,” he said, “you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
After Trump’s speech, thousands of his supporters surrounded the Capitol. They pushed past police and broke into the building. They smashed windows and stole government property. Vice President Mike Pence and members of Congress had to be evacuated for their safety. More than a dozen police officers were injured, and one later died of his injuries. One rioter was shot and later died. Dozens of people have been arrested for their involvement in the riot.
Still, Trump says he is not guilty of the charge against him. He has stated that his speech was “totally appropriate.”