Biden reacts to Trump’s acquittal in historic second impeachment trial, saying democracy ‘must be defended’

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“This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must always be vigilant. That violence and extremism have no place in America. And that each of us has a duty and a responsibility as Americans, and especially as leaders, to stand up for the truth and to defeat the lies, ”Biden said in a statement.

The Senate acquitted Trump in his second impeachment trial on Saturday, voting the former president was not guilty of inciting the deadly Jan.6 riot on the U.S. Capitol.

The final vote – 57 guilty to 43 not guilty – was 10 out of the 67 guilty votes needed to convict, with seven Republicans declaring him guilty.

“The Senate vote followed the bipartisan vote to impeach him by the House of Representatives,” Biden said. “Although the final vote did not result in a conviction, the merits of the charge are not in dispute. Even those who oppose the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a “shameful dereliction of duty” and “practically and morally responsible for causing” the violence unleashed on Capitol Hill. “

The vote came swiftly on the fifth day of the Senate trial after a surprise Democrats’ request for witnesses earlier Saturday threw the trial briefly into chaos.

The lawsuit highlighted the dilemma Trump poses for Republicans in the wake of the January 6 riot, with many Republican senators keen on the party leaving the former president but still grappling with the reality that it dominates the party base. . It’s a dichotomy the party will face as the 2022 midterm elections approach, when it seeks to regain control of Congress, and the 2024 GOP presidential primary.

Biden was cautious in his comments on Trump’s impeachment trial, saying on Friday he was “anxious” how Senate Republicans would vote in the impeachment trial and whether they “stood up.” .

“I’m just anxious to see what my Republican friends do, if they stand up,” Biden told CNN in his first comments on the impeachment trial since House impeachment officials closed their case. dossier Thursday.

Biden said he had no plans to speak with senators about the trial or how they would vote.

This week, House impeachment officials released disturbing and captivating footage showing rioters viciously attacking officers and dangerously approaching lawmakers and then Vice President Mike Pence as ‘they were fleeing the chambers of the House and the Senate. Five people, including a Capitol police officer, died in the Capitol riot.

Although the national spotlight is on Trump’s impeachment trial, the White House has stressed it is focusing on implementing Biden’s agenda, including passing the sweeping coronavirus relief bill. Of the president.

CNN’s Jeremy Diamond, Betsy Klein, Kate Sullivan, Jeremy Herb, Manu Raju, Ted Barrett and Lauren Fox contributed to this report.

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