The unprecedented second impeachment of former President Donald Trump was found not guilty on Saturday on the charges of inspiring violence and “insurrection” on the January 6 Capitol Building Riot.
The total votes in the Senate Chamber were 57-43, which is less than the Constitution’s two-thirds voter requirement.
The Senate was broken up in a 50-50 split between Democrats and Republicans. Voting records show that during the impeachment, there were seven Republicans who defected from party lines to try and push conviction. Even though Senator Mitch McConnell blamed Trump for provoking the riot, he voted to acquit.
The infamous seven Republicans who voted to convict Trump are:
- Richard Burr
- Bill Cassidy
- Susan Collins
- Mitt Romney
- Lisa Murkowski
- Pat Toomey
- Ben Sasse
Other Republicans said they weren’t able to vote against Trump as he was put on trial after he already left office, they deemed it as unconstitutional.
Micael van der Veen, Trump’s defense lawyer, called out Democratic hypocrisy in his closing statements.
He said, “Throughout the summer Democrat leaders including the current president and vice president repeatedly made comments that provided moral comfort to mobs attacking police officers.”
Without the conviction, Trump has the ability to run again for the presidency in 2024, something he’s expressed he’s fully ready to do.