The Senate has on Wednesday acquitted President Trump of charges of abuse of power and obstructing the Congress, ending a congressional bid to oust him from office for pressuring a foreign power to incriminate his political rivals.
The tally for conviction fell far below the 67-vote threshold necessary for removal and neither article of impeachment garnered even a simple majority.
The first article, abuse of power, was rejected 48 to 52, and the second, obstruction of Congress, was defeated 47 to 53.
Senator Mitt Romney, Republican of Utah, was the only Republican to break with his party, voting to remove Mr. Trump from office.
It would be recalled that in December 2019, Democrats charged Mr Trump with pressuring Ukraine to smear a potential White House rival.
The votes, ending the third presidential impeachment trial in American history, were a resounding victory for Mr. Trump after five months of blaring scandal that threatened his presidency.
Both Republican and Democrats agreed that the final judgment on Mr. Trump will be rendered by voters when they cast ballots in just nine months.
Mr. Trump was however, out of sight even as he was cleared by the Senate, but announced on Twitter that he would make a statement on Thursday at noon from the White House “to discuss our Country’s VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax!”
I will be making a public statement tomorrow at 12:00pm from the @WhiteHouse to discuss our Country’s VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 5, 2020
The President Donald Trump also posted a comment on Twitter in form of s video minutes after the Senate voted.
In the video, Trump was shown on a Time magazine cover with campaign placards that say, “Trump 2024,” “Trump 2028,” “Trump 2032,” and so on until ending with “Trump 4EVA.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 5, 2020
In its historic vote on Wednesday, the Senate decided not to remove from office on charges arising from his dealings with Ukraine.
If convicted on either charge, America’s 45th president, Mr Donald Trump would be removed from office, to turn over office to Vice-President Mike Pence.
