The Lincoln Project Says GOP Senators' Choice is 'Trump or the Truth'

The Lincoln Project has said Republican senators have a choice between former President Donald Trump and "the truth" when they decide whether or not to convict him at his impeachment trial.

A new video from the anti-Trump group highlights the article of impeachment being for "incitement of insurrection" and quotes him saying: "If you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."

It then shows footage of the storming of the Capitol, before also accusing Trump of "non-stop lies regarding election fraud the courts proved was non-existent."

A voiceover concludes: "The evidence is all there for the world to see.

"This is not a vote for conscience, it's a vote for truth.

"Where do you stand senators, with Trump or the truth?"

Photos of several senators are shown as the final words are spoken.

The Lincoln Project, which heavily criticized Trump in the run-up to last year's election, also previously released an advert that highlighted Trump's words on January 6 and footage of the riot.

Alongside this, the group said: "Don't be distracted. Keep your eyes on the truth."

Trump's Senate trial is due to begin officially on Tuesday and opening arguments are slated to start Wednesday.

The House voted to impeach him following the violence of January 6, in which five people died. With this, he became the first president to be impeached twice.

His political adversaries have suggested his rhetoric surrounding the presidential election, which he baselessly claimed was stolen despite there being no evidence of irregularities substantial enough to alter the outcome, encouraged the violence.

Trump has condemned the chaos of that day and has spoken against the violence that occurred, suggesting there is no place for such actions in the nation or his "movement."

For Trump to be convicted, 67 Senators would have to vote against him. If each Democrat and the two independents who caucus with them do so, they would need 17 Republicans to join them to hit that threshold.

A previous vote on the constitutionality of Trump's Senate trial indicated that it is unlikely a great enough number of Republicans will vote to convict him.

Trump's team has argued the trial should be dropped as Trump is no longer in office.

His lawyers have said it is "it is absurd and unconstitutional to hold an impeachment trial against a private citizen."

However, Democrats have rejected this and are pursuing the trial over the charge of "incitement of insurrection."

Newsweek has contacted The Lincoln Project and the Office of the Former President for comment.