U.S. President Donald Trump. (Supplied by The Canadian Press)

By David Opinko / with files from The Canadian Press

U.S. President Trump acquitted by Senate in impeachment trial

Feb 5, 2020 | 5:04 PM

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has won impeachment acquittal in the U.S. Senate, bringing to a close the third presidential trial in American history.

A majority of senators expressed unease with Trump’s pressure campaign on Ukraine that resulted in the two articles of impeachment.

But the final tallies, 52-48 favouring acquittal of abuse of power and 53-47 of obstruction of Congress’ investigation fell far short.

In order to reach the Constitution’s bar of high crimes and misdemeanors, two-thirds of American Senators would have had to declare the president guilty.

He was accused of trying to make a deal with the leader of Ukraine – military aid in exchange for Ukraine investigating Hunter Biden and his father Joe, for possible corruption.

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Following the vote, Trump took to Twitter to announce that he will be making a public statement Thursday on what he calls the “Impeachment Hoax.”

Mitt Romney was the sole Republican who voted against Trump, saying that his oath before God to exercise impartial justice was more important to him than playing partisan politics.

Since the Senate is controlled by the Republican Party, this outcome was expected by many.