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Former President Trump has been acquitted in his historic second impeachment trial, with seven Republican senators joining 50 Democrats voting to convict, fewer than the 17 needed.
Summary
- Former President Donald Trump is cleared over the deadly 6 January attack on the US Capitol
- Trump was accused on a single charge of causing a deadly insurrection
- Fifty-seven senators voted to convict him - 43 found him guilty
- Seventeen Republicans were need to turn against the former president to convict him
- In a dramatic twist, senators voted to allow witnesses - but then agreed to admit some evidence
- It centred on a phone call between Trump and top House Republican Kevin McCarthy
- The call appears to suggest backing by Trump for rioters who had breached the Congress building to stop the election result being certified
BREAKINGTrump vows to 'continue journey'
Trump's office released a statement just moments after he was acquitted.
"This has been yet another phase of the greatest witch hunt in the history of our country," it reads.
He does not mention the 6 January riot, rather reiterates the narrative that Democrats are the party that supports rioters and mobs.
"It is a sad commentary on our times that one political party in America is given a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters..."
He concludes with a look to the future and a promise to his supporters.
"Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun. 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."