Trump Walks Off the Senate Floor – Acquitted in Second Impeachment
Well, that’s a wrap! The Senate has handed Donald Trump a clean bill of health in his second (and currently only) impeachment trial of 2024. With a 57‑to‑43 vote, the former President narrowly eluded conviction for incitement of insurrection. All twelve Republicans who voted to convict on the first trial were out of the picture this time, leaving only a handful to break ranks.
What Went Down in the Capitol
- After a five‑day showdown in the same building that was ransacked by his supporters on Jan. 6, the Senate voted to acquit.
- Five senators – Mitt Romney, Richard Burr, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, and Ben Sasse – broke with the rest of their party, joining the Democrats in a lone conviction vote.
- The majority leader – Mitch McConnell – took the microphone to give a rebuke, calling Trump “practically and morally responsible” for the riot.
Why It Matters
Trump left office on Jan. 20, so the impeachment ironclad doesn’t remove him from power. Nevertheless, Democrats hoped a conviction would hold him accountable for the chaos that killed five people and nearly broke the Capitol’s skeleton. They also wanted to pave a route to future bans on his political career.
In a theatrically “free‑speech‑protective” defense, Trump’s attorneys argued his rally comments were shielded by the First Amendment and denied him due process. Not exactly a compelling defense, but it kept the courtroom drama alive.
How the Vote Unfolded
Everything was set to romanticize a classic “political shoot‑out” on Capitol Hill: pundits bickered, cameras screamed, and the Senate floor felt like a stage set for a major tragedy. Democrats felt that a conviction was the only way to uphold the rule of law, while the rest of the GOP insisted the 2017 “speech” was mere “politics” and not a crime.
The Wider Picture
In a nation still reeling from a pandemic, numerous fractures spanning racial, economic, and regional fault lines were glaring across the Senate. Even President Joe Biden – freshly sworn in after a head‑to‑head loss to Trump – called for healing while his office chafed under the weight of disarray.
- According to a recent Ipsos poll for Reuters, 71 % of Americans view Trump as partially responsible for the assault – half of that number thought he should be convicted.
- Both Trump’s advertising machine and “America First” messaging still win support among the right, putting a hush‑up on his looming 2024 presidential bid.
A New Presidential Tale
Twice impeached, with a second trial after leaving office, Trump is a historic first. He joined the ranks of only three presidents ever impeached by the House, and he’s the first to face a Senate trial after exiting office. Despite that, the Senate’s record says no president who faced an impeachment trial has ever been convicted.
Wrapping Up
With a decision that nearly splintered the House’s core, the Senate’s acquittal leaves the nation’s political clock ticking. As Biden closes his first weeks in office, the Capitol has a few more fireworks in store – but for now, it appears the second impeachment trial ends without a scorecard that would bar Trump from becoming President again.
‘Fight like hell’
Justice on Trial: Trump’s Second Impeachment Brought to Fruition
Just days before the Capitol chaos erupted, the man who’d famously called the election “stolen” urged his supporters to march on the heart of American democracy. He painted a chilling vision: “If you don’t fight like hell, you’re not going to have a country anymore.”
The Verdict in the Senate
In the grand courtroom of the Senate, nine House lawmakers—acting as both managers and prosecutors—presented a compelling case against the former president. They lit up the chamber with searing footage of the mob, showing how the crowd invaded the Capitol, hurled threats at key figures like Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice‑President Mike Pence, and how Trump allegedly gave the crowd the green light and then stayed hands‑off.
On the other side, Trump’s legal team turned the tables, claiming the trial was unconstitutional. They argued that the president had already stepped down from office, and that the words Trump used were no different from those commonly uttered by Democrats—a claim that was quickly countered by the House managers’ stark evidence.
Why This Matters
- Abandoning Democracy for Self‑Interest: Both impeachment proceedings spotlight how Trump, in pursuit of personal ambition, broke the sacred norms of the office.
- Historical Context: From Washington’s lone impeachment in 1789 to Nixon’s resignation over Watergate, the U.S. has seen very few presidencies face this level of scrutiny—yet Trump brings a modern twist.
- Future Consequences: While the Senate voted to acquit, avenues like a censure motion remain open. Democrats had even considered invoking Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to bar those who “engaged in insurrection,” but Republican resistance kept the motion at bay.
The GOP’s Internal Battle
Beyond the courtroom, the impeachment saga sparked a deeper clash within the Republican Party. Traditionalists—most of them more moderate and establishment—expressed alarm at what they saw as Trump’s radical shift. Critics accuse him of eroding democratic institutions, promoting a cult of personality, and pushing policies that cater to a narrow “white grievance” base, especially as America’s demographic landscape evolves.
From First to Second Impeachment
Trump’s first impeachment centered on his 2019 push to pressure Ukraine to investigate political rival Joe Biden—a move that sparked charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate ultimately acquitted him on those two grounds, underscoring the razor‑thin line between political maneuvering and criminal conduct.
In this second chapter, the stakes are higher. While the Senate has delivered a verdict, the narrative is still unfolding—introducing new questions about the limits of presidential power, the sanctity of American democracy, and the future direction of the Republican Party.
Takeaway
Trump’s trials are more than just legal battles; they represent a turning point in American politics. Whether they signal the end of a certain political era or simply a new chapter, one thing is clear: the American public, and the lawmakers who govern it, are watching closely.
