WASHINGTON, D.C. – It was the shortest impeachment trial in the history of the United States, but former U.S. President Donald J. Trump was found not guilty and acquitted of the charge of incitement levied against him by House impeachment managers. The latest failed effort to impeach Trump was spearheaded by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.
The final vote was 57 to 43 votes to convict, ten short of the 67 needed for a conviction.
“Now maybe it would be nice if the senators stopped putting on show trials for free air time and actually started working for the American people for a change,” said President Trump’s son, Donald Trump, Jr.
Seven out of fifty Republicans, lead by Utah Senator Mitt Romney voted to convict the President.
House managers failed to present facts that Trump orchestrated and directed the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol complex. While scores of participants have been arrested and charged for their part in the uprising, no formal criminal charges have been filed against Trump more than a month later.
It was the first time the U.S. has held an impeachment hearing for a non-sitting president, raising the concerns among many Republicans as being an unconstitutional hearing. The prosecution lawyers also failed to produce evidence that would have secured a conviction.