I’LL BE BACK!
Minutes after he’s cleared of inciting mob, Trump goes into attack mode
FORMER President Donald Trump was acquitted last night at his second impeachment trial after a day of ‘political chaos’ in Washington.
Mr Trump had faced being barred from holding political office for life if found guilty on the charge of ‘incitement of insurrection’. Last night, the final vote was 57 ‘guilty’ and 43 ‘not guilty’ – short of the two-thirds needed for conviction.
He immediately issued a statement in which he said he was subject to ‘the greatest witch-hunt in the history of our country’ – adding that he looked forward to continuing his Make America Great Again movement with the American people.
He claimed that the Democrats had been given a ‘free pass to transform justice into a tool of political vengeance, and persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree’.
He added: ‘I always have, and always will, be a champion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honourably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate.’
Mr Trump had been charged with whipping up his supporters before a mob stormed the US Capitol building on January 6 which left five dead, including a police officer.
But moments before closing arguments were due to start yesterday, the week-long trial was thrown into chaos when five Republican senators joined Democrats to vote in favour of calling witnesses to testify about Mr Trump’s ‘dereliction of duty’. The vote was taken after Republican congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler made bombshell claims on Friday night that fellow Republican Kevin McCarthy, the house Minority Leader, had a blazing row with President Trump on the day of the riot.
She claims Mr McCarthy told her he begged Mr Trump to ‘call off’ insurgents who were in the process of smashing their way into his office. Mr Trump initially denied the rioters were his supporters but when Mr McCarthy insisted they were, the president allegedly said:
‘Well, Kevin, I guess these people are more upset about the election than you are.’ Mr McCarthy allegedly responded: ‘Who the f*** do you think you are talking to?’ Mr Trump had categorically denied inciting the mob despite many rioters claiming they acted after the president urged them to ‘fight like hell’ for his presidency, repeatedly claimed the US elections had been ‘rigged’ and that Joe Biden ‘cheated’ his way into the White House.
Mr Trump’s lawyers immediately responded to the witness vote by saying they would call more than 300 witnesses, including Vice President Kamala Harris, a move which threatened to drag the impeachment on for weeks.
Democrats later agreed to abandon witnesses call and instead include a statement from Ms Herrera Beutler in official records. Mr Trump is enjoying record popularity among Republican voters. In a poll, 87 per cent said they approved of his actions. He has already said he is considering a 2024 run.