With Republican firewall, U.S. Senate acquits Trump of inciting deadly Capitol riot

[rooster59]

With Republican firewall, U.S. Senate acquits Trump of inciting deadly Capitol riot

By Richard Cowan, David Morgan and Makini Brice

 

FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress, in Washington, U.S, January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Jim Bourg/File Photo

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate acquitted Donald Trump on Saturday of inciting the mob that stormed the Capitol last month, sparing him from conviction in his second impeachment trial in a year despite broad condemnation of his role in sparking the deadly siege.

 

The Senate voted 57-43 in favor of convicting the former president, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to do so, on a charge that he incited the insurrection that left five people dead, forced lawmakers to flee, and put his own vice president in danger while overseeing the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's election win.

 

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who voted "not guilty," in the trial, offered scathing remarks about Trump after the verdict.

 

"There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day," he said. "The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president."

 

In the vote, seven of the 50 Senate Republicans joined the chamber's unified Democrats in favoring conviction after a week-long trial in the same building ransacked by Trump's followers after they heard him deliver an incendiary speech on Jan. 6. (Graphic - Tracking the vote: Senate acquits Trump - https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-TRUMP/IMPEACHMENT/qzjpqgegjpx/index.html)

During the trial, senators viewed graphic video of the assault, including scenes of a police officer screaming in pain as he was crushed in a door, the mob chanting "hang Mike Pence" as it hunted the vice president, and lawmakers having near-misses with rioters as security officers hurried the elected officials into hiding for their own safety.

 

Trump left office on Jan. 20, so impeachment could not be used to remove him from power. But Democrats had hoped to secure a conviction to hold him responsible for the siege and set the stage for a vote to bar him from serving in public office again.

 

"The bottom line is that we convinced a big majority in the Senate of our case," said Representative Jamie Raskin, the lead Democratic prosecutor from the House of Representatives.

 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Republicans' refusal to hold Trump accountable would be remembered "as one of the darkest days and most dishonorable acts in our nation's history."

 

The swift end to the trial allows Biden to move forward with his agenda to bolster the economy with a $1.9 trillion pandemic relief bill and further confirmation of his cabinet members.

 

But divisions on Capitol Hill and around the country over his controversial predecessor will remain.

 

"This has been yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our country," Trump said in a statement after his acquittal.

 

Trump, 74, continues to hold a grip on his party with a right-wing populist appeal and "America First" message. The businessman-turned-politician has considered running for president again in 2024.

 

Republicans saved Trump in the Feb. 5, 2020, vote in his first impeachment trial, when only one senator from their ranks - Mitt Romney - voted to convict and remove him from office.

 

Romney voted for conviction on Saturday along with fellow Republicans Richard Burr, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Ben Sasse, Pat Toomey, and Lisa Murkowski.

 

"His actions to interfere with the peaceful transition of power – the hallmark of our Constitution and our American democracy – were an abuse of power and constitute grounds for conviction," Collins said after the vote.

 

DEEPLY DIVIDED NATION

 

The acquittal unfolded against a backdrop of gaping divisions in a pandemic-weary United States along political, racial, socioeconomic and regional lines. The trial provided more partisan warfare even as Biden has called for unity.

 

Seventy-one percent of American adults, including nearly half of all Republicans, believe Trump was at least partially responsible for starting the Capitol assault, but only about half of the country thought he should be convicted of inciting insurrection, according to an Ipsos poll conducted for Reuters.

 

Trump is only the third president ever to be impeached by the House of Representatives - a step akin to a criminal indictment - as well as the first to be impeached twice and the first to face an impeachment trial after leaving office. But the Senate still has never convicted an impeached president.

 

Democrats forged ahead with impeachment despite knowing it could overshadow critical early weeks of Biden's presidency.

 

The House approved the single article of impeachment against Trump on Jan. 13, with 10 Republicans joining the chamber's Democratic majority. That vote came a week after the pro-Trump mob stormed the neoclassical domed Capitol, interrupted the formal congressional certification of Biden's victory, clashed with an overwhelmed police force, and invaded the hallowed House and Senate chambers.

 

'FIGHT LIKE HELL'

 

Shortly before the rampage, Trump urged his followers to march on the Capitol, repeated his false claims that the election was stolen from him through widespread voting fraud, and told them that "if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."

 

During the trial, nine House lawmakers serving as trial managers, or prosecutors, urged senators to convict Trump to hold him accountable for a crime against American democracy and to prevent a repeat in the future. They said Trump summoned the mob to Washington, gave the crowd its marching orders and then did nothing to stop the ensuing violence.

 

The defense lawyers accused Democrats not only of trying to silence Trump as a political opponent they feared facing in the future but of attempting to criminalize political speech with which they disagreed.

 

The words Trump used, they argued, were no different than those regularly employed by Democrats.

 

Trump's acquittal does not end the possibility of other congressional action against him such as a censure motion, but Pelosi said such a measure would let Republicans who voted against conviction "off the hook."

 

McConnell said Trump was now a private citizen and suggested he could still face criminal prosecution for his acts. "He didn't get away with anything. Yet," McConnell said.

 

(Reporting by Rick Cowan and David Morgan; Additional reporting by Jeff Mason, Susan Cornwell, Makini Brice, Andrea Shalal, Ted Hesson and Michael Martina; Writing by Jeff Mason and Will Dunham; Editing by Scott Malone, Jonathan Oatis and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-14

 

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[PatOngo]

9 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who voted "not guilty," in the trial, offered scathing remarks about Trump after the verdict.

 

You're an absolute coward Mitch! Shame on you and ALL Republicans who voted with you! Cowards the lot of you!

[Fat is a type of crazy]

10 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

You're an absolute coward Mitch! Shame on you and ALL Republicans who voted with you! Cowards the lot of you!

A bit harsh to call him an absolute coward. He stood up and said Trump is clearly guilty and he would have voted as such if not for the fact that you can't get a conviction for impeaching a former president. 

An easy way out maybe, and most disagree, but in his speech he supported the Republicans who voted to convict and noted that Trump can still be held to account outside the Senate.

Strong words, and add to that Senators from Republican strongholds such as  Louisiana and North Carolina voting to convict, and I think it's enough to take the wind out of the sails for a while for Trump supporters. 

He's still got his base but I think he's lost at least a decent share of thinking Republicans. 

Edited February 14, 2021 by Fat is a type of crazy

[ExpatOK]

This case should have never been prosecuted. We all knew Trump would be acquitted and it further divided the country contrary to what biden SAYS he wants.  Shame AGAIN on Nancy for bringing this meritless case.

Edited February 14, 2021 by ExpatOK

[Sujo]

10 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

You're an absolute coward Mitch! Shame on you and ALL Republicans who voted with you! Cowards the lot of you!

They didnt think he was innocent. They voted that way because they said he cant be done in after he left office.

 

Mitch delayed it until he was out then says because he is out they cant do it.

[PatOngo]

1 minute ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

A bit harsh to call him an absolute coward. He stood up and said Trump is clearly guilty and he would have voted as such if not for the fact that you can't get a conviction for impeaching a former president. 

An easy way out maybe, and most disagree, but in his speech he supported the Republicans who voted to convict and noted that Trump can still be held to account outside the Senate.

Strong words, and add to that Senators from Republican strongholds such as  Louisiana and North Carolina voting to convict, and I think it's enough to take the wind out of the sails for a while for Trump supporters. 

He's still got his base but I think he's lost at least a decent share of thinking Republicans. 

If he had any nuts, he'd have voted with his heart! They put the Proud Boys and moron Trump followers above their conviction! Very weak!

[cmarshall]

14 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

A bit harsh to call him an absolute coward. He stood up and said Trump is clearly guilty and he would have voted as such if not for the fact that you can't get a conviction for impeaching a former president. 

An easy way out maybe, and most disagree, but in his speech he supported the Republicans who voted to convict and noted that Trump can still be held to account outside the Senate.

Strong words, and add to that Senators from Republican strongholds such as  Louisiana and North Carolina voting to convict, and I think it's enough to take the wind out of the sails for a while for Trump supporters. 

He's still got his base but I think he's lost at least a decent share of thinking Republicans. 

 

Moscow Mitch is a hyper-hypocrite.  He ran out the clock by refusing to call the Senate into session to try Trump and then cries, "What can we do?  We have no jurisdiction?"

 

So, my question is when Fulton County DA Fani Wills indicts Trump for violating GA election laws putting Trump at risk of many years in prison, will a judge give him bail?  In my opinion Trump clearly represents a flight risk and should be detained in a GA jail cell until his trial after which he can expect to face trials in NY and DC at least.  And this is to say nothing of the DoJ which should indict Trump, but may not.

[Fat is a type of crazy]

13 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

If he had any nuts, he'd have voted with his heart! They put the Proud Boys and moron Trump followers above their conviction! Very weak!

I just think you should save the title of absolute coward with no nuts for the others who voted to convict and then quietly left the chamber to keep Trump happy. I know he's the ultimate cynical politician and could have made it so Trump could have been convicted. But did you actually watch his speech? Took some nuts to say the things he said and it will have at least some consequences for how Trump is received in the future.

 

 

[ExpatOK]

7 minutes ago, cmarshall said:

 

Moscow Mitch is a hyper-hypocrite.  He ran out the clock by refusing to call the Senate into session to try Trump and then cries, "What can we do?  We have no jurisdiction?"

 

So, my question is when Fulton County DA Fani Wills indicts Trump for violating GA election laws putting Trump at risk of many years in prison, will a judge give him bail?  In my opinion Trump clearly represents a flight risk and should be detained in a GA jail cell until his trial after which he can expect to face trials in NY and DC at least.  And this is to say nothing of the DoJ which should indict Trump, but may not.

More fantasy

[ThailandRyan]

Had they actually convicted and impeached him, would that have led to him being charged with murder under federal statutes?  Just asking.

[cmarshall]

Just now, ThailandRyan said:

Had they actually convicted and impeached him, would that have led to him being charged with murder under federal statutes?  Just asking.

 

No, but the DoJ or possibly the Atty General of D. C. could still charge him with crimes arising out of Jan. 6.  The impeachment process is completely separate from the criminal justice system.

[J Town]

29 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

A bit harsh to call him an absolute coward. He stood up and said Trump is clearly guilty and he would have voted as such if not for the fact that you can't get a conviction for impeaching a former president.

<snip>

Yet the senate voted it WAS legal to do so. The grim reaper essentially took the law in his own hands.

[ThailandRyan]

1 minute ago, cmarshall said:

 

No, but the DoJ or possibly the Atty General of D. C. could still charge him with crimes arising out of Jan. 6.  The impeachment process is completely separate from the criminal justice system.

However, had he been truly impeached he would not be covered anymore for being a now former sitting president. He would have no protections against being tried under the crimes committed on Federal grounds.  

[J Town]

27 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

If he had any nuts, he'd have voted with his heart! They put the Proud Boys and moron Trump followers above their conviction! Very weak!

To hell with his heart. The vote to allow this procedure as legal was the first thing they established.

 

Funny how they voted in a SCOTUS very quickly when it was convenient to do so yet they delayed these hearings until the former president was out of office, creating the very technicality used for acquittal.

[J Town]

10 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

<snip>

But did you actually watch his speech? Took some nuts to say the things he said and it will have at least some consequences for how Trump is received in the future.

 

I watched it live. He was merely playing both ends to meet the middle.

[cmarshall]

3 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

However, had he been truly impeached he would not be covered anymore for being a now former sitting president. He would have no protections against being tried under the crimes committed on Federal grounds.  

Completely wrong.  Trump doesn't have any protection at all from being indicted by the DoJ.  He doesn't have and never has had any protection from being indicted by prosecutors of the states or of Washington, D. C. which has its own elected Attorney General who is not under the control of the federal DoJ.

 

[J Town]

6 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

Had they actually convicted and impeached him, would that have led to him being charged with murder under federal statutes?  Just asking.

First, he was impeached - twice. I understand this is a confusing concept, took me a long time to wrap my head around it. Impeachment is like getting a speeding ticket - it really doesn't mean anything unless you're forced to pay it. The former president's sycophants made sure he didn't have to pay the price politically.

 

Having said that, the two-faced McConnell DID set a foundation for civil courts to prosecute the former president. He most likely will be held accountable for anything and everything that happened in this terrorist attack.

[Surelynot]

38 minutes ago, ExpatOK said:

This case should have never been prosecuted. We all knew Trump would be acquitted and it further divided the country contrary to what biden SAYS he wants.  Shame AGAIN on Nancy for bringing this meritless case.

Far from meaningless....it puts on permanent record those republicans who supported this horrendous act of incitement to over turn a democratic vote.....an indelible stain, impossible to remove.

[JonnyF]

The whole thing was a farce from start to finish.

 

Very stupid of the Democrats to do this. They've just united his base behind him. Congratulations, you've united your enemy and made yourself look stupid, petty and vindictive at the same time. Brilliant. 

[Fat is a type of crazy]

5 minutes ago, J Town said:

I watched it live. He was merely playing both ends to meet the middle.

But why did he need to ..he could have just said he considered it unconstitutional or given some other reason and left it at that.

I am not a fan - he has been the most appalling politician for years - I am just saying his words will make a difference. CNN showed the whole thing while Fox News cut Schumer's speech and then played Mitch's speech. They looked shocked and what he said. That was fun. 

 

[Surelynot]

Looking on the bright side .....

 

.....with Trump still on the scene he is going to be a wrecking ball for the Republican Party.

 

How are they going to handle him from now on in?..........he is going to be a nightmare.

 

He just lost the electoral college AND the popular vote.....wow!......2024 will be a disaster for them.

Edited February 14, 2021 by Surelynot

[cmarshall]

2 minutes ago, J Town said:

First, he was impeached - twice. I understand this is a confusing concept, took me a long time to wrap my head around it. Impeachment is like getting a speeding ticket - it really doesn't mean anything unless you're forced to pay it. The former president's sycophants made sure he didn't have to pay the price politically.

 

Having said that, the two-faced McConnell DID set a foundation for civil courts to prosecute the former president. He most likely will be held accountable for anything and everything that happened in this terrorist attack.

 

Nothing McConnell or any other senator has done has any effect on any civil or criminal proceeding.  The civil and criminal justice system is completely distinct from the power of Congress to impeach and remove.

[Surelynot]

1 minute ago, JonnyF said:

The whole thing was a farce from start to finish.

 

Very stupid of the Democrats to do this. They've just united his base behind him. Congratulations, you've united your enemy and made yourself look stupid, petty and vindictive at the same time. Brilliant. 

His base is always going to be united behind him, regardless.....remember he could shoot someone and they will still vote for him...that is how stupid Trump voters are.

[Tarteso]

2 minutes ago, Surelynot said:

.he is going to be a nightmare.

And now become an Intouchable.

[Tug]

3 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

The whole thing was a farce from start to finish.

 

Very stupid of the Democrats to do this. They've just united his base behind him. Congratulations, you've united your enemy and made yourself look stupid, petty and vindictive at the same time. Brilliant. 

Oh I don’t know about that most rational folks don’t (like)a president who sends a Lynch mob after the Vice President and others ya know,no sir I beg to differ and this stain on our democracy by the Republican cowards will be rembered on the next 6 or so election cycles to paraphrase their names will live in infamy 

[J Town]

Just now, JonnyF said:

The whole thing was a farce from start to finish.

 

Very stupid of the Democrats to do this. They've just united his base behind him. Congratulations, you've united your enemy and made yourself look stupid, petty and vindictive at the same time. Brilliant. 

You couldn't be more wrong, and we grow tired of explaining this (I guess it's my turn).

 

1. To merely turn their collective backs on the crimes committed by the former president would be a dangerous precedence to set. Even McConnell admitted these crimes were committed by the former president and that he is liable for his actions until the statute of limitation runs out.

 

2. Uniting the enemy is a good thing. They are a vapid collection of white supremacists who have become emboldened enough to come out of hiding. This makes them an easy target.

 

3. The only ones who appeared stupid here were the former president's attorneys, one of whom was an ambulance chaser. I guess that's the best the former president could get as real attorneys like the ones representing the Democrats wouldn't come anywhere near staining their reputations by associating with the former president.

 

[Surelynot]

3 minutes ago, Tarteso said:

And now become an Intouchable.

That could be the 'beauty' of it......... he is free.......he will can now go to extremes that even republicans will find unacceptable.

[J Town]

7 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

But why did he need to ..he could have just said he considered it unconstitutional or given some other reason and left it at that.

I am not a fan - he has been the most appalling politician for years - I am just saying his words will make a difference. CNN showed the whole thing while Fox News cut Schumer's speech and then played Mitch's speech. They looked shocked and what he said. That was fun. 

 

McConnell is an insipid bottom feeder but he's NOT stupid. That closing statement he made will last forever.

[Surelynot]

1 minute ago, ExpatOK said:

Trump 2024 guaranteed.

He just lost the electoral college and the popular vote......did you not notice that?

[J Town]

4 minutes ago, Tarteso said:

And now become an Intouchable.

I think you meant "Untouchable" and you are right. This will only strengthen his narcissism further. He is toxic, dangerous, and now he believes he is bulletproof.