President Trump has been acquitted by the Republican-led Senate on both counts of impeachment–abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith voted “guilty” on both counts. Trump was impeached by the Democratic-controlled House in December. Trump was accused of illegally withholding vital U-S military aid to Ukraine while pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democratic rivals. During the Senate impeachment trial, Republicans rejected Democratic demands for witness testimony and documents that have been blocked by the White House. Senator Smith posted the following message on her Senate Facebook Page following the vote:
Last day.
Today Senators filed onto the floor of the United States Senate for the last time in this trial of impeachment. One by one we voted, twice, on whether President Trump should be removed from office.
It was not a suspenseful moment, but it felt as weighty as when I first raised my right hand and pledged to provide impartial justice. I know that is what I did. I have asked myself whether I would have voted to remove a President of my own party had they corruptly abused their power for personal, political benefit, damaging our elections and national security in the process. It’s easy to say yes when the choice is hypothetical. But the answer is yes.
Now, we go forward. This trial has changed us, but it doesn’t change the core value of America that no one is above the law, including and most especially the President.
There is nothing inevitable about democracy. It’s not a natural state, it’s a state we have to fight for. The fight for democracy and our Constitution has chosen us in this moment and it’s our job to rise to the moment.
After this vote, the work of reinforcing the American values of fairness and justice will continue. We have a lot of work to do, but democracy is hard work, and I know that Minnesotans are up to it.
The truth is that I see more signs of common ground, hope and determination in Minnesota than I do the fractures of division, distrust and partisanship. That is a foundation for us all to build on going forward.