Donald Trump impeachment trial: Ex-president acquitted of inciting insurrection

Summary

Former President Trump is acquitted at his impeachment trial over the deadly attack on the US Capitol
Trump faced a single charge of inciting a mob of his supporters to ransack Congress
Fifty-seven senators voted to convict him - 10 short of the number needed to convict
Seven Republicans turned against their former president
Top Republican Mitch McConnell lambasted Trump's election 'lies'
But said he could not convict him because he is now a private citizen
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called the Republicans 'cowards'
A statement from Trump called the verdict a witch hunt but vowed to carry on the fight

Live Reporting

Edited by Tom Geoghegan

Yesterday, in picturespublished at 14:56 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February 2021
Here's a flavour of what went down at the Capitol on Friday.
Trump's team gave their defence that the former president did not incite the riot.
A vote on whether or not to convict is expected today.
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Trump's defence lawyers arrive at the US Capitol on Friday
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Republican Senator Ted Cruz leaves a meeting with Trump's lawyers
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Trump's defence lawyer, Bruce Castor, speaks on the Senate floor
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
The Capitol is still heavily protected following the 6 January riot. Here, a National Guard soldier poses as George Washington.
It's a 'No' from McConnellpublished at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February 2021
Breaking
New developments coming fast now.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell has indicated he will vote to acquit former President Trump of the impeachment charge, the BBC's US partner CBS is reporting.
Will Democrats call witnesses?published at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February 2021
Breaking
To call or not to call, that is the key question now before House impeachment managers.
Ahead of today, it seemed as though the answer was no, but now Politico and CNN are reporting that some Senate Democrats - and even a few Republicans - are keen on learning more about Trump's thought process during the riot.
Was he "horrified", as his defence team claimed? Or were earlier reports citing top aides saying he was pleased more accurate?
Democratic Senators Sheldon Whitehouse, Jeff Merkley and Chris Van Hollen have now indicated calling witnesses would be a good way to clarify the matter.
So who might House managers call? For starters, two Republican lawmakers who spoke to Trump during the unfolding chaos: Senator Tommy Tuberville and Congressman Kevin McCarthy.
Meanwhile, Trump's defence has told Politico they would want to call House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, to explain "why they rejected additional security".
Here are the Republicans to watch todaypublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February 2021
The Democrats have an uphill battle persuading 17 Republicans to join them in exercising the ultimate sanction on a (former) president - a conviction and barred from holding office.
Here are some of the senators to watch.
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Why Lisa Murkowski? Because the Alaska senator is expected to vote against Trump
Image source, EPA
Image caption,
Why Mitch McConnell? Because he knows the mood of his party better than anyone
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Why Bill Cassidy? Because he backed Democrats in advancing the case to trial
Image source, Reuters
Image caption,
Why Mitt Romney? Because he is a Trump critic and expected to convict
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Why Susan Collins? Because she's said that Trump does bear responsibility for inciting the mob
Where do things stand?published at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February 2021
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
A video calling for Trump's conviction plays on a loop outside the Capitol
OK, before things kick off today, let's take a look at the lay of the land.
Why are we here again?
Trump is accused of causing riots in the Capitol on 6 January which left five people dead. He denies the charge.
Trump was impeached by the House exactly one month ago today. But it's the Senate's job to sit as jurors and decide whether to convict him.
Why does this matter if he's not in office anymore, you might ask? If they do convict him, they could also vote to bar him from holding elected office again.
However, this is all unlikely as most Republicans have already indicated they won't vote to convict.
What have Democrats argued?
Democratic prosecutors showed the Senate two days of minute-by-minute accounts from the riot, with new video and audio footage as well.
They have argued that Donald Trump had a pattern of condoning violence, had done nothing on the day to prevent the riot, and had expressed no remorse.
What did Trump's defence say?
Trump's defence team said the incitement charge was a "monstrous lie" and that Trump had always supported peaceful protests.
They concluded arguments in four hours yesterday.
They also argued the impeachment proceedings against the former president are merely a "politically motivated witch hunt" by the Democrats.
What's happening today?published at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February 2021
Both the House prosecutors and Trump's defence have concluded their arguments. On Friday, the senators had a chance to ask questions of both sides.
Questioning will continue today, followed by closing arguments from both sides.
What happens after that is a bit up in the air. There's the question of whether to call witnesses that the Senate must vote on - if it's a no, we could see a vote on conviction or acquittal later today.
Live coverage beginspublished at 13:54 Greenwich Mean Time 13 February 2021
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of what could be the final day of Donald Trump's historic second impeachment trial in the US Senate.
Throughout the day we will be bringing you all the latest updates as they happen as well as all the background and context you need to fully understand what is happening - and why.