Trump impeachment: What happened and why do we care?
Donald Trump became the third president to be impeached, but was acquitted of impeachment charges on Feb. 5. Photo illustration by Riggs Zyrille Vergara
By Nathan Woolridge, News Editor
United States President, Donald Trump, became the third president in history to be impeached after The House of Representatives made its decision on Dec. 18. Its decision came from two particular charges — first charging Trump with abusing his office and the other charging him with obstructing Congress. But, on Feb. 5, the Senate voted to acquit Trump after finding him not guilty of the charges.
What does this all mean? Was Trump impeached? And is he still president?
Technically, yes Trump was impeached and that idea will be forever stamped on his legacy as president. But, for Trump to be removed from office, there would have to be support from two-thirds of the Senate to do so. The Senate consists of 53 Republicans, 45 Democrats and two independents, according to Business Insider.
And as mentioned, Trump was acquitted on both charges of impeachment on Feb. 5. On abuse of power, senators voted 52-48 and on obstruction of Congress, senators voted 53-47, in favour of their party interests.
Senator Mitt Romney was the sole Republican vote to convict Trump on abuse of power going against the party line. But, Romney voted with Republicans to acquit Trump on obstruction of Congress.
Essentially, this means Trump will remain in office as president of the United States. But, during the impeachment trials there were a lot of demanding questions raised that many have been asking all along: Is the president fit to serve office? Is America showcasing a “broken politics, a broken democracy, a broken country?”
BBC News’ New York correspondent, Nick Bryant, put it best when he said, “During the impeachment trial it often seemed that the very idea – and ideals – of America was on the stand.”
“Is the United States beyond the point of repair?”
