Senate acquits Trump on abuse of power charge

President Donald Trump on Wednesday was found not guilty of the first article of impeachment, abuse of power, putting him on the verge of acquittal by the Senate as the third presidential impeachment trial in American history comes to a close.

Senators sworn to do "impartial justice" are rising to stand at their desks and state their votes for the roll call — "guilty" or "not guilty" — as Chief Justice John Roberts presided.

On the first article of impeachment, Trump is charged with abusing his power by pressuring Ukraine to investigate Democratic rival Joe Biden, in what House Democrats said political quid pro quo for personal political gain. He withheld U.S. security aid as leverage over the ally confronting a hostile Russia, though the money was eventually released.

The Senate is set to vote next on the second charge, obstruction of Congress, over the administration's defiance of the House's requests for testimony in the ensuing probe.Trump insisted throughout the proceedings that he did nothing wrong, and the president is eager for vindication as he launches his reelection bid.

(Image Credit: AP)