Former President Donald Trump was acquitted in the Senate on charges of inciting a deadly attack on the United States Capitol.
The final count fell short of the 67 votes needed to convict.
But with 57 votes in favor of a sentence against 43 against, the result reflected an unprecedented sentence from a president.
“It was the most bipartisan impeachment vote in the history of our republic.”
Colorado Democratic Congressman Joe Neguse, one of the House managers who sued the Trump case, praised on Sunday (February 14) the seven Republican senators who joined the Democrats in the vote to condemn.
“Fifty-seven senators, including seven Republicans you mentioned, chose the country over the party and came to the same conclusion as us, that the president incited the insurrection. And we must not lose sight of that.”
Even some Republicans who voted on Saturday for absolution – like minority leader Mitch McConnell – strongly condemned Trump for his role in the riot.
“There is no doubt – none – that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for causing the day’s events. There is no doubt about that.”
McConnell said his vote depends on a technicality – his belief that a former president cannot be impeached.
Trump’s legal team, including lawyer Michael Van Der Veen, hailed the victory.
“We won. Innocent.”
And a Trump spokesman read a statement from the former president.
“This was another phase of the biggest witch hunt in the history of our country.”
But the end of the trial does not mean the end of Trump’s potential legal risk.
A prosecutor in Georgia launched a criminal investigation into the former president’s efforts to overturn that state’s election. On Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported that the Manhattan prosecutor is investigating loans for Trump properties.
Mitch McConnell even suggested that Trump may still face criminal liability.
“Unless the statute of limitations is enforced, he is still responsible for everything he did while in office. He hasn’t gotten away with anything. Yet. Yet.”
Video transcription
– Former President Donald Trump was acquitted in the Senate on charges of inciting a deadly attack on the United States Capitol. The final count fell short of the 67 votes needed to convict. But with 57 votes in favor of a sentence against 43 against, the result reflected an unprecedented sentence from a president.
JOE NEGUSE: It was the most bipartisan impeachment vote in the history of our republic.
– Colorado Democratic Representative Joe Neguse, one of the House managers who sued the Trump case, praised on Sunday the seven Republican senators who joined the Democrats in the vote to condemn.
JOE NEGUSE: 57 senators, including seven Republicans you mentioned, chose the country over the party and came to the same conclusion as us, that the president incited the insurrection. And we must not lose sight of that.
– Even some Republicans who voted on Saturday for absolution, such as minority leader Mitch McConnell, strongly condemned Trump for his role in the riot.
MITCH MCCONNELL: There is no doubt whatsoever that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for causing the day’s events. No doubt.
– McConnell said his vote depends on a technicality, his belief that a former president cannot be impeached. Trump’s legal team, including lawyer Michael van der Veen, hailed the victory.
MICHAEL VAN DER VEEN: We won. Innocent.
– And a Trump spokesman read a statement from the former president.
– “This was another phase of the biggest witch hunt in the history of our country.
– But the end of the trial does not mean the end of Trump’s potential legal risk. A prosecutor in Georgia launched a criminal investigation into the former president’s efforts to overturn that state’s election. On Saturday, “The Wall Street Journal” reported that the Manhattan prosecutor is seeking loans for Trump properties. Mitch McConnell even suggested that Trump may still face criminal liability.
MITCH MCCONNELL: Unless the statute of limitations has been in place, you are still responsible for everything you did while in office. I haven’t been safe from anything yet – yet.