WASHINGTON— Today, the Senate acquitted former President Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. In response, Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva issued the following statement:

“Forty-three Republican Senators chose to bow to a man who threatened their lives instead of choosing to put their country over party and convict the former president. Their failure has set a dangerous precedent that will make it more difficult to hold future presidents accountable for violations of their oath. If inciting an insurrection to attempt to overturn the results of an election isn’t an impeachable offense, it begs the question—what is? 

“The facts are clear. For months, Donald Trump spread a big lie that the election was stolen, which culminated in inciting a violent mob to attack Members of Congress and his own Vice President for upholding their constitutional duty. While the lives of the Vice President, Members of Congress, staff, and Capitol Police officers hung in the balance, Trump refused to call off his deranged supporters. People died, numerous were injured, and the American public watched it all unfold on live television. Conviction should not have been a partisan issue, and I’m grateful for the seven Republican Senators who voted to uphold their own oath of office and convict the President for his crimes.

“Donald Trump is guilty, and history will judge every single Member of Congress who willingly enabled his crimes. Donald Trump may feel emboldened, but make no mistake that the insurrection, and the death and destruction that accompanied it, will forever be the legacy of Trump and these complicit Senators.”

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