Trump Cleared Of Inciting Insurrection
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
(Worthy News) – Former President Donald J. Trump was acquitted of inciting the January 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol.
The U.S. Senate voted 57-43 mainly along party lines to vindicate Trump in the first-ever impeachment trial against an ex-president of the United States.
Seven Republican senators broke ranks to support a conviction.
At least 17 Republican senators would have to vote with Senate Democrats to reach the threshold for a conviction, two-thirds of senators present.
But that didn’t happen after emotionally-charged final arguments from both the House prosecutors and Trump‘s defense team.
Democrats claimed in the short trial that Trump caused a violent attack that killed five people and injured some 140 people. House prosecutors said he repeated “false claims” for months that the election was stolen from him. He allegedly told his supporters gathered near the White House that morning to “fight like hell” to overturn his defeat.
However, Trump’s lawyers argued that the rioters acted on their own accord and that he was protected by freedom of speech, an argument that resonated with most Republicans.
They said the case was brought on by Democrats’ “hatred” of Trump.
Earlier Saturday, five Republicans and 50 Democrats voted to call witnesses setting the stage for a lengthy trial.
But after striking a deal with Trump’s lawyers, House impeachment managers dropped their call for witnesses, clearing the way for a vote on conviction.
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