The U.S. Senate on Wednesday acquitted President Donald Trump of both charges in his impeachment trial as it found him not guilty of obstructing Congress, as had been charged by the House of Representatives.
In the second of two impeachment votes, the Republican-controlled Senate cleared the Republican president of Democrats' accusations that he obstructed Congress' investigation into whether he acted improperly in withholding U.S. security aid to Ukraine, Reuters said.
The Senate's 53-47 vote on the second article of impeachment brought the proceedings to an end.
Read alsoTrump lawyers: President did "absolutely nothing wrong" on Ukraine – VOA
The businessman-turned-politician, 73, survived only the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history – just like the two other impeached presidents – in his turbulent presidency's darkest chapter. Trump now plunges into an election season that promises to further polarize the country.
Trump was acquitted largely along party lines on two articles of impeachment approved by the Democratic-led House of Representatives on December 18, with the votes falling far short of the two-thirds majority required in the 100-seat Senate to remove him under the U.S. Constitution.
The Senate voted 52-48 to acquit him of abuse of power stemming from his request that Ukraine investigate political rival Joe Biden, a contender for the Democratic nomination to face Trump in the November 3 election, Reuters said.
Republican Senator Mitt Romney joined the Democrats in voting to convict. No Democrat voted to acquit.
