‘Convict Trump and lock him up’ banner flown over Mar-a-Lago

Stunt happened at same time ex-president’s lawyers started impeachment defence

A plane has flown a banner reading “Convict Trump and lock him up” over the ex-president’s Florida estate.

The light plane began circling over Mr Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home just as his legal team started his defence at his historic second impeachment trial.

“All-caps banner flying over Trump’s resort in Palm Beach as his defense team begins its presentation today,” tweeted CNN’s Jim Acosta on Friday.

The former president’s lawyers began their defence after three days of the House impeachment managers laying out their case against him.

Senators have been shown a string of shocking security camera videos of just how close the rioters came to lawmakers during the 6 January violence.

His lawyers have denied that Mr Trump is in any way responsible for the attack on the Capitol, despite urging his supporters to “fight” at a rally beforehand.

“To claim that the president wished, desired or encouraged lawless behavior is a preposterous and monstrous lie,” said Michael T van der Veen.

The latest banner comes just a week after another plane flew one over Mar-a-Lago that read: “Trump worst president ever.”

A total of 67 senators will be needed to vote in favour of convicting Mr Trump at the end of his trial.

If that supermajority mark is passed and the ex-president is convicted, the Senate can take action against him and vote by a simple majority to disqualify Mr Trump from ever holding elected office again.

That would prevent him seeking the GOP presidential nomination in the 2024 race, for which he is still favoured among possible Republican candidates, polls show.