By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave a comment 0comments Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-mcconnell-votes-to-acquit-then-condemns-trump Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: McConnell votes to acquit, then condemns Trump Politics Feb 13, 2021 5:03 PM EDT Minutes after voting to acquit Donald Trump of the impeachment charge, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said there is still “no question” that Trump was “practically and morally responsible for provoking” the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol. Watch McConnell’s remarks in the player above. McConnell said he could not vote to convict Trump because he is “constitutionally not eligible for conviction” because he is no longer president. He added that a conviction would have created a dangerous precedent that would give the Senate power to convict private political rivals and bar them from holding future office. McConnell added that impeachment is a “narrow tool for a narrow purpose.” The Senate voted 57-43 on Saturday to acquit Trump. A conviction required 67 votes. Read more of NewsHour’s coverage: The Second Impeachment of Donald Trump Read Trump’s full response to House Democrats’ arguments for impeachment Read Democrats’ full impeachment brief against Trump for second Senate trial With Senate split 50-50, here’s what Democrats can and can’t do We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
Minutes after voting to acquit Donald Trump of the impeachment charge, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said there is still “no question” that Trump was “practically and morally responsible for provoking” the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol. Watch McConnell’s remarks in the player above. McConnell said he could not vote to convict Trump because he is “constitutionally not eligible for conviction” because he is no longer president. He added that a conviction would have created a dangerous precedent that would give the Senate power to convict private political rivals and bar them from holding future office. McConnell added that impeachment is a “narrow tool for a narrow purpose.” The Senate voted 57-43 on Saturday to acquit Trump. A conviction required 67 votes. Read more of NewsHour’s coverage: The Second Impeachment of Donald Trump Read Trump’s full response to House Democrats’ arguments for impeachment Read Democrats’ full impeachment brief against Trump for second Senate trial With Senate split 50-50, here’s what Democrats can and can’t do We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now