- Aides convinced President Trump not to appear in person to defend himself in Wednesday’s impeachment vote in the House of Representatives, The New York Times reported.
- Trump has been isolated since last week’s riot at the United States Capitol, abandoned by allies, isolated by the business world and deprived of his Twitter account.
- On Wednesday, lawmakers voted 232-197 for Trump’s impeachment, with 10 Republicans supporting the measure.
- Instead, Trump released a video after the impeachment condemning the violence in stronger terms than before.
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President Donald Trump was prevented from appearing in person in the House of Representatives to defend himself before his second impeachment, the New York Times reported.
Aides would have convinced the president that it would be a bad idea to present a defense during Wednesday’s vote.
In December 2019, when he was impeached for the first time, reports suggested that he also wanted to present a self-defense, but was deterred.
In Wednesday’s vote, Trump was charged 232-197 on a single charge of “inciting insurrection” in last Wednesday’s US Capitol riot. Ten Republicans supported Democrats in the vote.
Having been kicked out of Twitter after the attack on the Capitol, Trump is without his favorite platform to intervene and try to shape events.
The president in his last term is an isolated figure, abandoned by allies in politics and business, and has turned to adviser Rudy Giuliani, his personal lawyer, in a dispute over bills.
Read More: ‘It was degrading’: Black Capitol custody officials talk about how it was to clean up the mess left by violent pro-Trump white supremacists
After the vote, Trump released a video, in which he expressed no personal regret over the violence that left five dead. He, however, condemned it in stronger terms than before.
“Violence and vandalism have no place in our country … No true supporter of mine would ever endorse political violence,” said Trump.
According to reports, Trump was warned by White House lawyer Pat Cipollone that he faces legal consequences, legal consequences for the riot, where supporters ransacked the Capitol after being instructed by Trump at a rally to “fight like hell” in his attempt to overthrow the election results.
Trump’s impeachment will now be forwarded to the Senate, where a trial will be held after returning from recess on January 19, and is expected to extend until the beginning of President-elect Joe Biden’s term.