Donald Trump acquitted in Senate

Text by: RFI Follow

Unsurprisingly, the U.S. Senate acquitted President Donald Trump on Wednesday (February 5th), tried since last month for abuse of power and obstructing congressional action.

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In a solemn vote followed live on television by tens of millions of Americans, the Senate estimated, by 52 votes out of 100, that Donald John Trump, 45th president in history, had not surrendered guilty of abuse of power. By 53 votes out of 100, he also considered that he had not been guilty of obstructing the smooth running of Congress. The United States Constitution requires a two-thirds majority (67 seats out of 100) to remove a president.

Even before the vote, formula warfare had started on the lessons to be learned from this exceptional procedure. Donald Trump has been " acquitted forever, " claims the White House. Donald Trump has been " indicted forever, " say the Democrats.

Donald Trump was the third President of the United States to be removed from office after Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998, both of whom were also acquitted. This vote puts an end to a procedure initiated this fall by the Democrats, majority in the House of Democrats, and concretized by the formal indictment of the American president on December 18 last in plenary session.

Opposition accuses 45th President of the United States of using state resources, including military aid approved by Congress, to try to force Ukraine to " dirty " its possible presidential opponent Joe Biden . Since the scandal broke out, the White House host claims to be the victim of a witch hunt orchestrated by his opponents who would not have digested his surprise victory of 2016. The strategy seems to have, at least in part, borne its fruits: according to the latest poll from the Gallup Institute, it recorded 49% of favorable opinions, a record since coming to power.

When the acquittal was announced, Donald Trump tweeted a video montage foreshadowing an eternal presidency. He will speak this Thursday from the White House.

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( With agencies)

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