The impeachment saga is officially over as President Trump has been acquitted by the Republican-led Senate. Senators found Trump not guilty on both counts of impeachment - abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, but it wasn’t a completely clean sweep – more on that in a minute.
To review, Trump was impeached by the Democratic-controlled House in December. During the Senate impeachment trial, Republicans rejected Democrat demands for witness testimony and documents that have been blocked by the White House. Trump is only the third president in U.S. history to be impeached – and ultimately, acquitted after the Senate trial.
As for the vote, it was nearly unanimous as Utah Senator Mitt Romney cast the only Republican "guilty" vote on the charge of abuse of power. He said Trump committed a flagrant assault on fundamental values and an appalling abuse of public trust. Democrats held together in casting guilty votes on both counts.
The first Senate vote to acquit the President for abuse of power was 52-48. The second vote to acquit Trump on obstruction of Congress was 53-47. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts presided over the Senate trial and announced the outcomes of both votes.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell thanked Roberts for his service and awarded him a golden gavel.
Source: C-SPAN