Iowa Senators Grassley & Ernst Vote for Acquittal of Trump

Both Iowa Senators voted to acquit Donald Trump on Saturday afternoon in the former president's second impeachment trial in Washington DC. Both Senator Chuck Grassley and Senator Joni Ernst said their votes were primarily based on their belief that it was unconstitutional to impeach a former president.

Shortly after the vote failed to pass the Senate by the necessary 2/3 majority, Senator Grassley issued a statement which addressed former President Trump's role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol. In it, he stated:

Everyone involved must take responsibility for their destructive actions that day, including the former president.

Undoubtedly, then-President Trump displayed poor leadership in his words and actions.

I do not defend those actions and my vote should not be read as a defense of those actions.

KCRG also reported that Ernst's office issued the following statement:

The Constitution clearly states that impeachment is for removing a president from office. The bottom line for this impeachment trial: Donald Trump is no longer in office.

The full Senate vote was 57-43, a full ten votes short of the necessary 67 votes needed to achieve a 2/3 majority. Seven Republican Senators voted with Democrats for conviction.

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While the acquittal was expected, there was not a lot of support or sympathy from Republican Senators. Mitch McConnell said the former President's actions on January 6 were  'unconscionable", but according to Fox News it was reported McConnell said he nevertheless voted to acquit, as he questioned the constitutionality of the proceedings:

There's no question... that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day.

McConnell also said Trump may still see civil and criminal charges brought against him as the historic second impeachment trial has now ended.