Second impeachment trial of Donald Trump facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Second impeachment trial of Donald Trump |
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President pro tempore Patrick Leahy presides over the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump.
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| Date | January 26, 2021 – February 13, 2021 (2 weeks and 4 days) |
| Accused | Donald Trump, former President of the United States |
| Presiding officer | President pro tempore Patrick Leahy |
| House managers: |
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| Defense counsel: |
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| Outcome | Acquitted by the U.S. Senate, 57 guilty, 43 not guilty (10 short of 67 needed to convict) |
| Charges |
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| Cause | Trump's conduct before and during the U.S. Capitol attack; Trump–Raffensperger phone call |
The second impeachment trial of Donald Trump was a special legal process in the United States Senate. It happened after the House of Representatives accused former President Donald Trump of encouraging actions that led to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. This trial took place from February 9 to February 13, 2021.
Donald Trump was the 45th President of the United States. He served from 2017 to 2021. He is the only U.S. president to be impeached, or formally accused, by the House of Representatives twice. This second impeachment happened just seven days before his term ended.
Because he was no longer president when the trial began, this was the first time a former president faced an impeachment trial. The main accusation was that he encouraged people to act against the government. This was linked to his claims that the 2020 election was not fair. It also related to his calls with election officials in Georgia.
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What is Impeachment?
Impeachment is a process where a government official is accused of serious wrongdoing. In the United States, the House of Representatives can vote to impeach an official. This is like bringing formal charges against them.
If the House votes to impeach, the case then goes to the Senate for a trial. The Senate acts like a jury. If two-thirds of the senators vote that the official is guilty, they can be removed from office. They can also be prevented from holding any future government jobs.
Why Was President Trump Impeached Again?
The House of Representatives impeached Donald Trump for one main reason. They said he encouraged an "insurrection," meaning a rebellion or uprising. This was related to events that happened on January 6, 2021.
Before this, President Trump had made claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. He also spoke with election officials in Georgia. The House believed his words and actions led to the events at the Capitol.
The Capitol Event
On January 6, 2021, a large group of people gathered in Washington, D.C.. They were there to protest the election results. President Trump spoke to them earlier that day.
Later, many of these people marched to the Capitol Building. This is where the Congress meets. On that day, members of Congress were counting the electoral votes. This was the final step to confirm Joe Biden as the next president.
Some of the protesters broke into the Capitol building. This caused lawmakers to stop their work and seek safety. The event was a serious disruption to the peaceful transfer of power.
The Trial Begins
The impeachment trial in the Senate began on February 9, 2021. Before the trial started, some senators debated if it was even allowed. Senator Rand Paul argued that the Constitution only allows impeachment for current officials. He said that since Trump was no longer president, the trial was not constitutional.
However, supporters of the trial argued that impeachment could also prevent someone from holding future office. This was something the House had asked for. The Senate voted on this question. They decided 55 to 45 that the trial could go forward. This was the first time a former president had been tried in this way.
Who Were the Main People Involved?
The people who presented the case against Donald Trump were called "impeachment managers." They were members of the House of Representatives. The lead manager was Jamie Raskin. Other managers included Joaquin Castro, Eric Swalwell, Madeleine Dean, and Stacey Plaskett. They explained why they believed Trump should be convicted.
Donald Trump's defense team argued against the accusations. His main lawyers were Michael van der Veen, David Schoen, and Bruce Castor. They argued that Trump's words were protected by free speech. They also said he did not intend for the Capitol attack to happen.
The Outcome of the Trial
After hearing arguments from both sides, the Senate voted. To convict Donald Trump, 67 senators (two-thirds of the Senate) needed to vote "guilty."
The final vote was 57 senators voting "guilty" and 43 voting "not guilty." This meant that 10 more votes were needed to convict him. Because the two-thirds majority was not reached, Donald Trump was acquitted. This means he was found not guilty of the charges.
Seven Republican senators voted with all Democratic and independent senators to convict Trump. This was the largest number of senators from the president's own party to vote for conviction in a U.S. presidential impeachment trial. After the vote, Senator Mitch McConnell said that President Trump was "practically and morally responsible" for the events of that day. However, he voted against conviction because of his interpretation of the Constitution.
Images for kids
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Nancy Pelosi signing the article of impeachment
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Senator Patrick Leahy signing the summons for second impeachment of Trump
