Impeachment trial: US senate finds Trump not guilty of inciting Capitol invasion

The United States senate has found former President Donald Trump not guilty of inciting the Capitol Hill invasion.

On January 6, Trump’s supporters had breached police lines and stormed the Capitol Hill, while Congress was sitting to verify Joe Biden’s victory in the US presidential election.

Just before the invasion of the Capitol, Trump, who refused to concede defeat to Biden, had addressed a crowd of his supporters, and urged them to march to take back their country.

The riot had led to the death of five people, while several others were injured.

At its sitting on Trump’s second impeachment trial on Saturday, the senators voted 57 to 43, to acquit the former US president of the single charge of inciting the invasion.

Among those who voted to convict Trump were seven senators from his party.

The senate needs at least 67 votes — two-third majority — to convict the former president of the charge.

In a statement issued after the verdict was announced by the senate, Trump thanked his legal team and supporters, adding that the “movement has just begun”.

“I want to first thank my team of dedicated lawyers and others for their tireless work upholding justice and defending truth,” the statement reads.

“My deepest thanks as well to all of the United States Senators and Members of Congress who stood proudly for the Constitution we all revere and for the sacred legal principles at the heart of our country.

“Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun. In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I look forward to continuing our incredible journey together to achieve American greatness for all of our people. There has never been anything like it.”