Donald Trump acquitted as impeachment trial ends

Trump in February 2020 after his acquittal at his first trial

Donald Trump has been acquitted of inciting insurrection at the end of his second impeachment trial.

A two-thirds majority of the 100 US senators — 67 — was required for a conviction, and Democrats fell short of reaching that bar.

In total 57 senators voted to convict, and 43 voted not guilty. All 50 Democrat senators voted to convict and they were joined by seven Republicans including Mitt Romney, the Utah senator.

The court formally acquitted Mr Trump on a charge of inciting insurrection on Jan 6, when he told supporters to "fight like hell" before the US Capitol was invaded by a mob.

Mr Trump welcomed the verdict and said the trial had been "yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our Country."

He accused Democrats of being motivated by "political vengeance" to "persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree."

Hours before the verdict Mitch McConnell, the Republican leader in the Senate told colleagues he intended to acquit, which may have influenced some of them.

Mr McConnell argued the Senate did not have jurisdiction to try Mr Trump because he is now a private citizen.

Following the verdict Chuck Schumer, the Democrat leader in the Senate, said: "Jan 6 will live as a day of infamy in history. The failure to convict will live as a vote of infamy. justice was not done.

"This was about choosing country over Donald Trump, and 43 Republicans chose Trump."

Closing the prosecution case after a swift five-day trial Michael van der Veen, Mr Trump’s lawyer said the riot was a "grave tragedy" and a "heinous act on the home of American democracy".

He said Mr Trump was "deeply disturbed" by graphic videos shown of violence at the trial. But he said Mr Trump was innocent and the victim of a "maniacal crusade" against him by Democrats.

He said: "This impeachment has been a complete sham form beginning to end.

"The entire spectacle has been an unhinged pursuit of a long standing political vendetta.

"Democrats were obsessed with impeaching Mr Trump from the very beginning of his term. Now, they have conducted a phony impeachment show trial when he is a private citizen out of office."