Republican Alabama senators Richard Shelby and Tommy Tuberville voted to absolve former President Donald Trump of impeachment charges, claiming that he incited the January 6 uprising on the United States Capitol.
In statements after the vote, none of the Alabama senators spoke about the question of President Trump’s guilt for inciting the violent takeover of the U.S. Capitol. They focused on the constitutionality of a president’s impeachment after his term.
“The Constitution talks about removing an incumbent president, not an ordinary citizen. Last week, I voted to close this case based on its questionable constitutionality, ”said Sen. Richard Shelby in a statement on Saturday.
Senator Tommy Tuberville repeated a similar reasoning, but said he kept an open mind during the impeachment process.
“I voted not to condemn for a number of reasons, including the fact that I don’t think the Senate has the authority to try a private citizen,” said Senator Tuberville in a statement on Saturday.
Trump was acquitted by a vote of 57 culprits against 43 innocents on Saturday. A total of 67 votes would have been necessary to convict him on charges brought by the Chamber. Only seven Senate Republicans voted to condemn the former president.
The Republicans who voted to condemn Trump were Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania.
“The authors were clear in limiting impeachment to the president, vice president and civilian officials of the United States. That’s why today I voted for absolution, ”said Senator Shelby.
Senator Tuberville said it was time for the country to move on, adding that both sides of the political corridor had to remember that they were ultimately on the same team.
“There are no winners today. The American people lost. Our country is suffering from a global pandemic and, instead of meeting the serious needs of our constituents, we have lost an entire week in an unconstitutional trial. ”