On Wednesday afternoon the U.S. Senate voted to acquit President Donald Trump on the both articles of impeachment against him.
The first article alleging abuse of power was voted down, an outcome many expected since the trial began on January 21.
Trump Acquitted
Removing Trump from office would have required the support of at least 67 members of the GOP-led Senate, or two-thirds. Only Senator Mitt Romney broke ranks with the 53 Republicans to buck his party and vote to convict.
RELATED: Trump Wins Witness Vote 51-49 – Acquittal Looks Solid
BREAKING: US Senate votes to acquit President Trump on first article of impeachment, abuse of power. https://t.co/eS9gdAUWcJ pic.twitter.com/ZHe7ujx9e5
— NBC Politics (@NBCPolitics) February 5, 2020
No president in America’s history has ever been removed from office through the impeachment process.
Trump Acquitted on Both Articles
On to voting on the second article of impeachment, the obstruction of Congress charge, Trump was acquitted 53-47. Romney voted with Republicans on this second charge.
The two Articles of Impeachment against the President were approved in the Democrat-controlled House of Representatives in December, both centering on Trump’s alleged request that Ukraine probe former US Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, over their dealings in Ukraine.
Democrats have insisted Trump made a phone call in July 2019 with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that constituted a quid pro quo because $391 million in US military aid to Ukraine was being withheld at the time.
Chief Justice John Roberts announces the vote total after the Senate votes to acquit President Trump on the charge of abuse of power https://t.co/8X7DRjISty pic.twitter.com/QZdk2H6ogp
— CNN (@CNN) February 5, 2020
Trump Described Impeachment as a ‘Witch Hunt’ Throughout
Throughout the impeachment process, Trump has denied any wrongdoing, and repeatedly described the entire event as a partisan “witch hunt.”
Even though the articles pass the House, impeachment was expected to fail in the Senate.
The beginning of the end for impeachment truly happened when the Senate voted last week, 51 to 49, to not call any witnesses in the trial.