SURVEILLANCE VIDEO inside the U.S. Capitol shows rioters break into the building on Jan. 6. One person at center left appears to be carrying a Confederate battle flag; at right a man is entering through a smashed window (House video).

Showing video footage and transcripts of Capitol police pleading for help as they are attacked by rioters in and around in the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, prosecutors from the House of Representatives sought to make the case that the attackers were acting on behalf of then-President Donald Trump.

According to the New York Times, members of the Senate, which serves as a jurors in this second impeachment trial of Trump, sat silently as the House Democrats argued that the insurgents not only were trying to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election but also posed a threat to Vice President Mike Pence and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seen as enemies of Trump.

In the video, the chant “Hang Mike Pence!” was heard. A gallows had been set up outside the Capitol.

“President Trump put a target on their backs and his mob broke into the Capitol to hunt them down,” said Stacey Plaskett, a Democratic delegate from the Virgin Islands.

Under the rules of the trial, Republicans will get a chance at rebuttal later in the week. The former president’s supporters have argued that his comment of “fight like hell” to stop certification of election results was protected free speech and not – as prosecutors said – “incitement to insurrection.”

News:  U.S. to sanction Myanmar coup leaders

An executive order imposing sanctions against the military officers who overthrew the government of Myanmar was signed by President Joe Biden on Wednesday, according to United Press International. Troops took the reins of power to overturn the results of the Nov. 8 election, said Biden, of the incident in the nation formerly known as Burma.

The action will freeze the assets held in America by the military government but also those owned personally by coup leaders and close family members.

Put the brakes on that Jeep: Bruce Springsteen, who starred in a Super Bowl commercial driving a Jeep and extolling the virtues of national unity, had been arrested on a drunk driving charge on Nov. 14 In New Jersey, according to the Associated Press. He was cited for driving under the influence, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. Jeep has announced it would “pause our … commercial until the actual facts can be established.”

Business: Larry Flynt dies at 78

LARRY FLYNT (Wikipedia).

Larry Flynt, the controversial founder of Hustler magazine and   outspoken defender of free expression, died Wednesday at the age of 78.

Flynt started his magazine for those who felt that Playboy and Penthouse were not, uh, explicit enough. He battled feminists and the religious right and was shot by a sniper in 1978 and spent the rest of his life in a wheelchair.

According to published reports, he died of heart failure in his home in the Hollywood Hills.

Wall Street had a mixed Wednesday: Two of the three major stock indexes turned downward, the second consecutive day of retreat by some investors. The Dow Jones Average declined 61.97 points to 31,437.80. The S&P 500 dropped 1.35 points to 3,909.88 and the Nasdaq was down 35.16 points to 13,972,53.

Sports: Oh, say can you hear …

“The Star Spangled Banner” will be returning to Dallas Mavericks games. After it was reported that the National Anthem was not being played at Mavs’ home games, the NBA cracked down and ordered that “all teams will play the National Anthem in keeping with longstanding league policy.

Mav owner Mark Cuban, in a statement, agreed, but noted that he was responding to “the voices of those who feel that the anthem does not represent them.”

Weather: Some clouds, then some rain

West Orange County will be getting just a taste of winter soon. According to forecasts, Thursday will see partly cloudy skies with a high of 69 (overnight low of 53). On Friday, however, expect some showers along with a daytime high of 68 (48 overnight). Looking to the weekend, skies should be partly cloudy with a high of 66 (47) on Saturday, warming up a bit on Sunday with more sun and a high of 70 (47). In the coastal areas (Huntington Beach), daytime highs are expected to be five degrees cooler.