WASHINGTON DC – Former President Donald Trump was the first president in history to be charged twice, now he is the first to be acquitted twice and this vote could signal his influence over the Republican Party.
A rather quick trial in the Senate came to an end on Saturday, with the final vote totaling 57-43.
“The United States Senate decided to protect our constitutional way of life and not get in the way of endless impeachments.” Defense attorney Bruce Castor Jr. said after the decision.
Although it was technically the most bipartisan vote to condemn history, only seven Republicans found Trump guilty, the majority of Republicans uniting in support of their party’s former president.
“A cowardly group of Republicans, who apparently have no options, because they fear to defend their work,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, of those who voted for absolution.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, is among the voters to acquit the former president, but minutes later in the Senate plenary he blamed him for the violence.
“There is absolutely no doubt that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for causing the day’s events,” said McConnell.
McConnell’s beliefs show a split in the Republican Party as eyes turn to 2022 and beyond.
“I like [Sen. McConnell], he worked well with President Trump. I think his speech is an isolated case in terms of how Republicans feel about all of this, ”said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, on FOX News on Sunday.
“Trump is the most vibrant member of the Republican Party. The Trump movement is alive and well. All I can say is that the most powerful force in the Republican Party is President Trump, ”added Graham.
“Donald Trump is more likely to run for president in 2024 than Joe Biden, and everyone on both sides knows it,” tweeted Trump’s fervent supporter, Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Florida.
Others, including Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar, do not see it that way.
“He violated his oath of office in what Liz Cheney called the greatest representation of a president’s oath in history and those memories and the police’s screams will forever be etched into the memories of Americans. It’s over, ”said Klobuchar.
Although Trump was acquitted by the United States Senate, the vote does not give him immunity from facing possible criminal charges or other legal challenges in the future.