HEAL THIS UNCIVIL WAR
PRESIDENT BIDEN APPEALS FOR UNITY FROM ALL AMERICANS AS
JOE BIDEN has issued a rallying call for Americans to put their differences behind them after Donald Trump was acquitted on charges of inciting a deadly attack on the Capitol building.
The US president appealed for unity to ‘heal this uncivil war and heal the very soul of our nation’, saying each citizen has a responsibility to defend the truth.
Mr Biden’s address came after his predecessor survived a second impeachment trial that has left Democrats and Republicans deeply divided.
Senators voted 57-43 vote in favour of convicting Mr Trump on Saturday, falling short of the two-thirds majority required. Seven Republicans joined the Senate’s 48 Democrats and two independents to vote for a conviction.
Mr Biden said: ‘This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must be ever vigilant. That violence and extremism has no place in America.
‘That is the task ahead. And it’s a task we must undertake together, as the United States of America.’
While Washington is seeking to move on with Mr Biden’s agenda, the trial has left politicians and the country in a continued state of discord.
Mr Trump (pictured) celebrated his acquittal, insisting again that the
impeachment effort was a ‘witch hunt’. He threatened to punish Republicans who did not support him by backing opponents in their primary elections.
‘Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun,’ he declared. Indicating he still has a political future, Mr Trump told supporters: ‘In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I
look forward to continuing our incredible journey together to achieve American greatness for all of our people.’ Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said Republicans who did not support conviction were ‘cowards’ who ‘chose to abandon the Constitution, the country and the American people’.
Lisa Murkowski, one of the Republicans who voted to convict, told Politico after the trial: ‘I’m sure that there are
many Alaskans that are very dissatisfied with my vote, but I’m sure there are many Alaskans that are proud of my vote.’
Mr Biden, who took office last month, has called for unity since the January 6 riot by Trump supporters that left five people dead and forced lawmakers to evacuate congressional chambers.
The Capitol and White House remain barricaded from the public.
But the end of the trial could add urgency to Mr Biden’s priorities. He is eager to pass a $1.9trillion pandemic relief bill and get his remaining cabinet nominees confirmed by the Senate.