Although the Senate impeachment trial reached an end yesterday, the nation is still very much discussing it. News of the highly-expected acquittal arrived on Saturday afternoon with only 57 senators voting for Trump to be convicted. Since this falls short of the necessary two-thirds vote to convict, the 45th president became the first in history to be twice acquitted.
Following the news of acquittal, Trump released a statement; in this statement, he thanked his attorneys along with the 43 Republicans in the Senate who ultimately voted to acquit him. The former president then professed that his movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun.
After the acquittal, Michael van der Veen, Trump’s defense attorney, spoke with Fox News about his involvement in the trial, Breitbart News confirms.
The Interview After Acquittal
During a conversation with Fox News, van der Veen explained that he personally has taken some hits for agreeing to defend Trump in the aforementioned impeachment trial. The Trump lawyer explained that while he didn’t wish to go into too many details, his home, family, law firm, and business came “under siege” since he began defending the former president.
Trump defense attorney Michael van der Veen speaks with @LanaZak after the Senate's acquittal vote: "What happened at the Capitol on January 6 is absolutely horrific. But what happened at the Capitol during this trial was not too far away from that."
Watch the full interview: pic.twitter.com/ndjBZzJgNZ
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 13, 2021
Van der Veen also discussed the defense’s work against House impeachment managers. According to Trump’s attorney, impeachment managers’ “political witch hunt” failed. Van der Veen then made sure to note that he and other Trump defense lawyers “demolished [House impeachment managers’] case” and essentially trapped them into a corner.
Ultimately, van der Veen informed Fox News that the verdict for Trump is not guilty; the lawyer also confirmed that the Senate’s vote to acquit the former president is a clear form of vindication.
Split Reactions to the Acquittal
The reactions to Trump’s Senate acquittal are largely split in adherence to partisanship. As of this morning, “#Trump2024” and “#LeaveTheGOP” are trending on Twitter. Most members of the Republican Party are celebrating; meanwhile, most Democrats aren’t happy at all and they’re slamming the GOP.
Following acquittal, Trump attorney Michael van der Veen calls for the country to "cool the temperature."
"It's absolutely crucial that this country move forward in unity… and do everything that we can to find justice every day in our lives." https://t.co/5rG1QrV2Y4 pic.twitter.com/WkTsDEp3es
— ABC News (@ABC) February 13, 2021
Since the acquittal, van der Veen has called to cool down the heated temperatures of political division in America. While speaking to the press, the Trump attorney explained that moving ahead in unity is critical for the country at this point.
What do you think about the interview from former President Trump’s attorney? Are you glad that the Senate voted to acquit the 45th president? Let us know down below in the comments section.
