Donald Trump acquitted in 2nd impeachment trial

Donald Trump’s unprecedented second impeachment trial ended in acquittal Saturday, Feb. 13, the Democratic-led prosecution failing to garner enough Republican support to convict the former president of inciting the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Seven Republicans joined 50 Democrats, but they fell 10 votes shy of the 67 needed to find Trump guilty.

“The failure to convict Donald Trump will live as a vote of infamy,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat.

Much of the Republican base remains fiercely loyal to Trump, even after he failed to win a second term. And many Republican senators are leery of crossing a mercurial former president known to seek retribution.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said there is no doubt that Trump “is practically and morally responsible” for the attack Jan. 6. Still, he voted to acquit, arguing it’s not constitutional to convict a former president who is now a private citizen.