Impeachment Trial: Senate Votes to Acquit President Trump on Both Charges
After months of investigations and a two and a half week trial, President Donald Trump’s impeachment proceedings have come to a close.
The president was cleared on both charges in his Senate trial – abuse of power by 52 votes to 48 and obstruction of Congress by 53 votes to 47.
The votes are not as close as they look – a two-thirds majority was required to remove Trump from office.
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The only Republican to vote against Donald Trump – on one charge – was former presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has issued a statement, accusing President Trump and Senate Republicans of “normalizing lawlessness”.
She said: “President Trump was impeached with the support of a majority of the American people – a first in our nation’s history.
“Sadly, because of the Republican Senate’s betrayal of the Constitution, the President remains an ongoing threat to American democracy.”
The House Speaker added: “The House will continue to protect and defend the checks and balances in the Constitution that defend our Republic.”
President Trump said he would make a statement at the White House at midday on February 6.