US Senate acquits Trump

The Senate vote by 57 to 43, which is less than the two-thirds majority needed to convict Trump of incitement to revolt, followed a five-day trial in the same building that was stormed by some Trump supporters on January 6 shortly after hearing a speech of the former president.

Seven of the 50 Republican senators joined the United Democrats in the House in favor of conviction.

The move to conclude the trial came after Democrats and Republicans halted a possible extension of proceedings related to details of evidence of a phone call between Trump and a senior Republican during the Capitol siege.

Trump's defense team argued that the trial should not have taken place in the first place because Trump had left power, and his speech among his supporters is protected by the guarantee of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by the US Constitution.

After his acquittal, Trump promised to "continue" to defend "the greatness of America," and Trump believed, in a statement issued after his acquittal, that his trial in the Senate was another stage of "the largest campaign of persecution in the history of our country."

For his part, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Trump is morally responsible for storming Congress."

Earlier on Saturday, Democrats and Trump's defense had reached an agreement allowing to avoid calling witnesses, and to continue the trial of former President Donald Trump - which is expected to end with a verdict today.

J.O