WASHINGTON (1010 WINS) – Members of the Senate on Saturday voted to acquit former President Donald Trump at his second impeachment trial.
Trump was acquitted of a single charge of incitement of insurrection in connection with the deadly storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6.
The vote was 57-43. Thirty-four votes were needed to acquit.
Republican Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania voted with 50 Democrats to convict Trump.
"My deepest thanks as well to all of the United States Senators and Members of Congress who stood proudly for the Constitution we all revere and for the sacred legal principles at the heart of our country," Trump said in a statement after the vote. (Full statement below).
The acquittal had been expected, as the chamber is split 50-50 between Republicans and Democrats and a two-thirds majority is required for a conviction.
The trial was derailed Saturday after the Senate voted to hear witness testimony. It proceeded after lawmakers reached a deal to avoid calling witnesses, a move that could have significantly delayed the vote. They agreed to use a written statement instead.
Republican senators had voted with Democrats to hear witness testimony after details came out about a phone call between Trump and House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy during the Capitol riot.
During the call, Trump reportedly knew his supporters were rioting at the Capitol but did nothing about it, even telling McCarthy that “I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.” Democrats said it showed the former president’s indifference to the siege.
The impeachment trial lasted for nearly a week, with House prosecutors arguing that statements Trump made leading up to the Capitol siege, including urging supporters to “fight like hell,” as well as his false claims about the election incited the attack. But Trump’s lawyers called the impeachment a “witch hunt” and contended that the former president wasn’t looking to incite violence with his words.
Trump is the only president in history to be impeached twice. He's the only president to face an impeachment trial after his term in office had ended.
Here's Trump's full statement:
I want to first thank my team of dedicated lawyers and others for their tireless work upholding justice and defending truth.
My deepest thanks as well to all of the United States Senators and Members of Congress who stood proudly for the Constitution we all revere and for the sacred legal principles at the heart of our country.
Our cherished Constitutional Republic was founded on the impartial rule of law, the indispensable safeguard for our liberties, our rights and our freedoms.
It is a sad commentary on our times that one political party in America is given a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters, and transform justice into a tool of political vengeance, and persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree. I always have, and always will, be a champion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honorably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate.
This has been yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our Country. No president has ever gone through anything like it, and it continues because our opponents cannot forget the almost 75 million people, the highest number ever for a sitting president, who voted for us just a few short months ago.
I also want to convey my gratitude to the millions of decent, hardworking, law-abiding, God-and-Country loving citizens who have bravely supported these important principles in these very difficult and challenging times.
Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun. In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I look forward to continuing our incredible journey together to achieve American greatness for all of our people. There has never been anything like it!
We have so much work ahead of us, and soon we will emerge with a vision for a bright, radiant, and limitless American future.
Together there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
We remain one People, one family, and one glorious nation under God, and it’s our responsibility to preserve this magnificent inheritance for our children and for generations of Americans to come.
May God bless all of you, and may God forever bless the United States of America
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