Donald Trump has become the third President to be acquitted in an impeachment trial.
The Senate’s votes on the two charges — Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress — were split down party lines. However, Republican Mitt Romney of Utah became the first Senator to vote to remove a President of his own party. He voted for removal on the Abuse of Power charge.
Chief Justice John Roberts reads the verdict at Wednesday’s impeachment trial on the first charge of abuse of power.
“Forty-eight Senators have pronounced Donald John Trump guilty as charged. Fifty-two Senators have pronounced him not guilty as charged. The Senate adjudges that respondent Donald John Trump is not guilty as charged in the first article of impeachment.”
Chief Justice John Roberts reads the verdict at Wednesday’s impeachment trial on the second charge of obstruction of Congress.
“Forty-seven Senators have pronounced Donald John Trump guilty as charged. Fifty-three Senators have pronounced him not guilty as charged. The Senate adjudges that respondent Donald John Trump is not guilty as charged in the second article of impeachment.”
The acquittal was largely a formality, as a two-thirds vote is needed for removal, and Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage in the Senate. Trump was impeached for allegedly withholding military aid to Ukraine in an effort to spur an investigation into Joe Biden‘s son Hunter. (NBC News)
