Run The Jewels and GZA Quoted in Trump's Second Impeachment Trial

It appears Donald Trump's second impeachment trial is providing yet another opportunity for rap lyrics to shine on the Senate floor.

On the opening day of the former president's trial, Stacey Plaskett, a non-voting House Representative for the U.S. Virgin Islands, stitched a pair of lines from Run The Jewels and the GZA, respectively, into her remarks. "The truth is usually seen and rarely heard," said the House Rep during the impeachment proceeding, quoting the Wu-Tang Clan member's 1999 song, "Breaker Breaker," which itself paraphrases a line from 16th-century priest and philosopher, Baltasar Gracián. In the very next line, Plaskett quotes El-P's verse from Run The Jewels' "Early," stating "truth is truth, whether denied or not."

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Killer Mike and Run the Jewels aren't new to political and social issues, advocating activism with their music and related art. Killer Mike has been vocal about racial justice, economic inequality, and civic participation, in many speeches during protests and progressive causes like Bernie Sanders' campaign. Run the Jewels' music has always touched upon systemic oppression, police brutality, and political corruption aiming to inspire action.

Plaskett is the first non-voting member of the House to serve as an impeachment manager and was reportedly the only Black woman in the Senate chamber on the opening day of the trial. The House impeachment managers closed their portion of the trial on Thursday evening, accusing the former president of intentionally inciting a riot at the Capitol Building on Jan. 6. Trump's defense team will take the floor for the first time later today.

See Rep. Stacey Plaskett's remarks in full below.