The Senate voted to acquit former President Donald Trump on the charge of inciting an insurrection by a vote of 57-43. The Senate needed 67 votes for a conviction. Seven Republicans joined the Democrats in voting to convict Trump.
This acquittal caps a wild Saturday in the nation’s capital, as the Senate previously voted to call witnesses in a 55-45 vote. But lawyers quickly reversed course as the Trump legal team permitted the statement from Republican Washington Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler to be considered as evidence in the trial. Beutler claimed House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called Trump during the Jan. 6 riot and Trump initially sided with the people who stormed the Capitol.
Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Ted Cruz threatened to also put pressure on the GOP to subpoena House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and D.C. Mayor Murial Bowser. Cruz even suggested the trial could have lasted until April, according to Fox News.
The acquittal opens the door for a possible 2024 presidential run for Trump.
Discussion about this post