President Donald Trump speaks at the “Stop The Steal” Rally on January 06, 2021 in Washington, DC. Trump supporters gathered in the nation’s capital today to protest the ratification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory over President Trump in the 2020 election. Photo credit Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
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.
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.
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