Impeachment February 13, 2021

Trump Acquitted 57-43; Seven Republicans Voted To Convict

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 13: In this screenshot taken from a congress.gov webcast, Senate votes 57-43 to acquit on the fifth day of former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol on February 13, 2021 in Washington, DC. House impeachment managers had argued that Trump was “singularly responsible” for the January 6th attack at the U.S. Capitol and he should be convicted and barred from ever holding public office again. (Photo by congress.gov via Getty Images)

Former President Trump was acquitted by the Senate on Saturday afternoon with seven Republicans crossing over to vote with 50 Democrats. Two-thirds of the Senate (67) was needed to convict Trump.

Here are the seven Republicans:

Final vote: 57-43 to convict.

Seven Republicans join Democrats – 7x the number of senators from a president’s party who have voted to remove:

Burr
Collins
Cassidy
Murkowski
Romney
Sasse
Toomey
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) February 13, 2021

A bipartisan group of senators vote for conviction, but far short of the Constitutional requirement. In a vote of conscience a majority of Republicans blink. We still need a reckoning on 1/6, and the full truth. Ultimately American voters will decide what this country will be.
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) February 13, 2021

The day began on an unexpected note when House impeachment managers said they wanted to call witnesses. Politico writes:

House Democrats prosecuting the case against Trump blindsided Senate Democrats when they asked for witness testimony on Saturday morning, prompting a 55-45 vote in favor of calling witnesses. But the House managers caved less than two hours later when they agreed to enter a statement from Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) into the record, rather than seek testimony from Herrera Beutler as the managers had previously requested.

Then, after closing arguments, the Senate quickly voted and Trump was acquitted for a second time. After the vote, Minority Leader Mitch McConnell ripped Trump.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who voted to acquit Donald Trump, says the former President is "practically and morally responsible" for provoking the events on January 6, calling his actions before the riot "a disgraceful dereliction of duty" pic.twitter.com/pWGaEelY6d
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) February 13, 2021

ROMNEY: “Trump incited the insurrection against Congress by using the power of his office to summon his supporters to Washington on January 6th and urging them to march on the Capitol during the counting of electoral votes…despite the obvious and well known threats of violence”
— Andrew Desiderio (@AndrewDesiderio) February 13, 2021