#Lindsey graham not guilty trial#

aid to the struggling ally battling hostile Russia at its border. After Trump's July 25 phone call with Ukraine, Trump temporarily halted U.S. They detailed an extraordinary shadow diplomacy run by Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani that set off alarms at the highest levels of government. Most Democrats, though, echoed the House managers' warnings that Trump, if left unchecked, would continue to abuse the power of his office for personal political gain and try to “cheat” again ahead of the the 2020 election.ĭuring the nearly three-week trial, House Democrats prosecuting the case argued that Trump abused power like no other president in history when he pressured Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter Biden, ahead of the 2020 election. Lindsey Graham said it was a “sham” designed to destroy a presidency. Other Republicans siding with Trump said it was time to end what McConnell called the “circus” and move on. “It would rip the country apart,” Alexander said before his vote.

He said the House proved its case but it just didn't rise to the level of impeachment. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, who is retiring, worried that a guilty verdict would “pour gasoline on the fire' of the nation's culture wars over Trump.

#Lindsey graham not guilty trial#

The Senate chaplain opened the trial with daily prayers for the senators, including one Wednesday seeking “integrity.” President Richard Nixon resigned rather than face revolt from his own party.Īhead of voting, some of the most closely watched senators took to the Senate floor to tell their constituents, and the nation, what they had decided. He would vote to acquit on the second.īoth Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 drew cross-party support when they were left in office after an impeachment trial. Romney choked up as said drew on his faith and “oath before God” to announce he would vote guilty on the first charge, abuse of power. Only one Republican, Mitt Romney of Utah, the party's defeated 2012 presidential nominee, broke with the GOP. The second, obstruction of Congress, also produced a not guilty verdict. On the first article of impeachment, Trump was charged with abuse of power. With Chief Justice John Roberts presiding over the trial, senators sworn to do “impartial justice” stood at their desks for the roll call and stated their votes - “guilty” or “not guilty.”