Former US President Donald Trump was the first president to be impeached twice prior to his exit in January 20, 2021. But on Saturday, February 13, Trump added another twist to his unwanted records-he became the first US leader to be acquitted in impeachment trial twice.
This is after the US Senate voted against his indictment and being ruled unfit to hold any public office. As it stands therefore, Mr Trump can still hold a public office.
Only seven of the Republican senators voted for the conviction of Mr Trump as 50 of them voted in favour of his clearance, against 43 votes by the Democrats.
The former head of state was impeached after he was faulted for inciting riots that rocked the Capitol back in January ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the incoming leader.
Speaker Nancy Speaker marshaled Congress to impeach Trump with just few days remaining to exit office. The impeachment came after the legislators pressured the then vice president Mike Pence to invoke the 25th amendment to pave way for impeachment.
A section of Republicans wanted the trial to be postponed to allow Mr Trump to prepare his defence but the Democrats vehemently opposed the idea.
The vote confirms that Trump still has a grip in the Republican Party. This subsequently means that the party must contend with calculations on how to make a comeback to wrestle power from Democrats in 2024.
Last week, US media reported a simmering tension in the Republican house where veteran politicians— some former heads of state—were plotting to form a third party force after being upset with Trump’s antics.
The move faced criticism from some lawmakers who argued that it would only give their rivals an edge in the polls.
It is the second time the Senate clears Trump. The first time they did so was in February 2020 when Republican legislators saved him from ouster bid that was tabled by Democrats, on charges of using foreign government to investigate Joe Biden.