The vote on Abuse of Power was 52-48. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney was the only Republican to vote to convict Trump.
On Obstruction of Congress, they voted 53-47. Romney, who voted to convict Trump on the Abuse of Power charge, voted to acquit him on this charge.
The trial which started on Tuesday, January 21, with a fierce debate over trial rules, involved opening and closing arguments from House impeachment managers (who acted as prosecutors) and Trump’s defence team.
The impeachment managers argued for the conviction of the President for several hours while the defence team argued that the President be acquitted as he had done nothing wrong.
Republicans, who had been severally accused of trying to cover up Trump’s wrongdoings, last Friday voted down a motion to compel witnesses and subpoena documents, bringing the trial near its conclusion. The senators were criticized for not allowing a “fair trial”.
Earlier, the President was alleged to have blocked the payment of a congressionally mandated $391 million military aid package to obtain quid pro quo cooperation from, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky. He later released the aid package.
He allegedly pressured Zelensky to investigate his former rival, former Vice President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter over Hunter’s involvement with the Ukrainian natural-gas company Burisma Holdings.
Trump repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, describing the his impeachment as a “witchhunt” and “hoax”.
He is only the third President to face an impeachment trial in the history of the country.
With today’s acquittal, he will remain in office.
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