What Crime Was Trump Convicted Of?
A Clarification Needed
On February 13, 2021, former United States President Donald Trump became the first U.S. President to be impeached twice. The first impeachment in 2019 led to acquittal in the Senate, while the second impeachment in 2021 resulted in a conviction and removal from office. Despite the conviction, many remain confused about what crime President Trump was convicted of.
What Crime Was President Trump Convicted Of In The Second Impeachment?
On January 13, 2021, the House of Representatives voted to impeach President Trump on a single charge of incitement of insurrection in connection with the January 6, 2021, storming of the United States Capitol. This event was sparked by allegations of widespread election fraud during the 2020 presidential election, which President Trump and his supporters claimed to be rigged against him. The charge of incitement of insurrection alleged that President Trump repeatedly made false claims about election fraud, which led to his supporters storming the Capitol and disrupting the Congressional certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
The Impeachment Process
To understand the context of President Trump’s second impeachment, it is essential to review the impeachment process:
- Article One: The Impeachment Resolution: The House introduced an impeachment resolution, stating that President Trump had engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors.
- Article Two: Specific Allegations: The resolution included specific allegations of President Trump’s actions, including making false claims about election fraud and encouraging his supporters to protest at the Capitol on January 6, 2021.
- House Vote: The resolution was put to a vote in the House, which resulted in a 224-206 majority in favor of impeachment.
- Senate Trial: After the House impeachment, the impeachment proceedings were sent to the Senate for a trial, which began on February 9, 2021.
The Trial and Conviction
The Senate Trial Results
- Opening Arguments: Opening arguments began on February 9, 2021, with both sides presenting their cases.
- Witness Testimony: Senator Patrick Leahy, Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts, and lawmakers testified during the trial.
- Closing Arguments: Closing arguments concluded on February 12, 2021.
- Verdict: On February 13, 2021, the Senate voted, and 57 senators, including seven Republicans, convicted President Trump of incitement of insurrection, which was short of the required two-thirds majority necessary for conviction.
Penalties and Consequences
Despite the conviction, the Senate did not impose penalties, as President Trump was already out of office when the trial concluded. As a result, the outcome was more symbolic than impactful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, President Trump was convicted of incitement of insurrection on January 6, 2021, for alleged false claims about election fraud and encouraging his supporters to storm the United States Capitol. The impeachment trial and conviction were significant political events, marking the second time in U.S. history that a President had been impeached and convicted.
Key Takeaways
- President Trump’s second impeachment was based on a single charge of incitement of insurrection.
- The charge was related to the January 6, 2021, storming of the United States Capitol.
- The House voted 224-206 in favor of impeachment, while the Senate voted 57-43 in favor of conviction, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for removal from office.
Tables
| Charge | House Vote | Senate Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Impeachment | 224-206 | |
| Conviction | 57-43 |
Note: The House vote only included the outcome of the impeachment resolution, while the Senate vote recorded the outcome of the trial, which was a verdict on the charge of incitement of insurrection.
