In yet another problematic event, US Senate acquitted former President Donald Trump in his historic second impeachment trial. He was impeached with charges of inciting the US Capitol insurrection on January 6. In a trial which lasted for five days, the Senate failed to gain the two-thirds majority needed for conviction. The hundred members of the Senate voted 57-43, falling short of ten votes. Even though 7 Republican senators voted in favor of the impeachment, the 50 Democrat senators failed to gain a majority of 67 votes.
“The failure to convict Donald Trump will live as a vote of infamy in the history of the United States Senate,” said Democrat chuck schumer.
On January 6, a violent mob of Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol. And all the while, he encouraged them to ‘fight like hell’ in his speech. At this time, lawmakers were confirming Joe Biden’s win in the November 2020 presidential election. This lead to five deaths and severe harm to life and property. The House of Representatives impeached him on January 13. The defense argued that Trump was only practicing his right to free speech. His words were rhetorical and did not incite ‘what was already going to happen’ on January 6.
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Trump announced this event as ‘yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our Country.’ Biden called it a sad event in history, reminding us how democracy is fragile and should be always defended. Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, a former Trump ally, stuck to his stance against Trump even though the defense labelled the charges minor and irrational. ‘There’s no question – none – that president Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day,’ he said. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was also very vocal about about the results of the trial. In a press conference after the trial, she called the Republicans cowardly. She added ‘They have no options because they are afraid to defend their job, respect the institution in which they serve.’
Donald Trump is the first president to have been impeached twice, that too after leaving office. A second acquittal is definitely another win him as he is still free to hold office again. ‘Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun,’ he said. Thus, proving that he is still looking forward to a future in politics.
Read more about the 7 Republicans who voted to convict Trump HERE.
(Sources: NDTV and The Hindu)
