How the world reacted to Trump being cleared again following second impeachment trial

Donald Trump managed to avoid being convicted for the second time after he was found ‘not guilty’ during his second impeachment trial as Republican senators remained loyal to the disgraced former president.

Saturday’s vote fell largely along party lines as Democrats and Republicans voted 57 to 43 against impeaching Trump for inciting the violent riot that occurred in Washington DC on 6th January that left five people dead.

Remarkably, seven Republicans did break party lines and voted to convict Trump. They were Richard Burr of North Carolina, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitt Romney of Utah, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately for them not enough of their colleagues in the GOP followed their lead.

After the vote, President Joe Biden issued a statement calling the result a “sad chapter in our history.” He added 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. And that each of us has a duty and responsibility as Americans, and especially as leaders, to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.”

It was a slightly different mood in the Trump camp with the former president thanking the lawyers who defended him and his loyal supporters and promised that he has “much to share with you” in the coming months.

Other prominent Republicans, such as Donald Trump Jr welcomed the result and called the trial a ‘waste of time.’

However, as you can imagine, there was a more heated reaction on the opposite side as opponents and critics of Trump lashed out at the GOP for not having the conviction to vote against the divisive former president who still appears to have a stronghold on the Republican party.

Others claimed that it was another example of white supremacy again triumphing.

Republican Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell’s words were curious to note. Although he voted to acquit Trump he later added, “there is no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day.” This drew a passionate response from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi who branded him and other Republicans as ‘cowardly.’

It remains to be seen what Trump will do next but there are already concerns, given his aforementioned statement that he will run for president against in 2024.

More: Why impeaching Trump could impact Biden’s early days in office