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<\/p>\nPresident Joe Biden issued a statement Saturday night after\u00a0Donald Trump\u00a0was acquitted of impeachment a second time, saying that the \u201csubstance of the charge\u201d against him \u2014 incitement of insurrection \u2014 was \u201cnot in dispute.\u201d<\/p>\n
He also said all Americans have a duty to \u201cdefend the truth and to defeat the lies.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seven Republicans joined Democrats in a 57-43 Senate vote to convict Trump, but it was far short of the two-thirds required.<\/p>\n
Biden pointed to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who voted to acquit because he claims it is\u00a0unconstitutional to convict a former president.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a \u2018disgraceful dereliction of duty\u2019 and \u2018practically and morally responsible for provoking\u2019 the violence unleashed on the Capitol,\u201d Biden wrote.<\/p>\n
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The president honored those who protected the Capitol during the attack, as well as those who battled to protect democracy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m thinking about all those who lost their lives, all those whose lives were threatened, and all those who are still today living with terror they lived through that day,\u201d he wrote. \u201cAnd I\u2019m thinking of those who demonstrated the courage to protect the integrity of our democracy \u2014 Democrats and Republicans, election officials and judges, elected representatives and poll workers \u2014 before and after the election.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cThis sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile. That it must always be defended. That we must be ever vigilant. That violence and extremism has no place in America. And that each of us has a duty and responsibility as Americans, and especially as leaders, to defend the truth and to defeat the lies.\u201d<\/p>\n
That is \u201chow we end this uncivil war and heal the very soul of our nation,\u201d he concluded. \u201cThat is the task ahead. And it\u2019s a task we must undertake together. As the United<\/em> States of America.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump earlier in the day issued his own preening statement following his Senate acquittal, portraying himself as a champion of the Constitution and law and order.<\/p>\n He didn\u2019t once refer to the deadly storming of the Capitol that claimed five lives.<\/p>\n Instead, Trump boasted of himself as a \u201cchampion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honorably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate.\u201d<\/p>\n He blasted Democrats for doing exactly what he has been accused of: \u201cGiven a free pass to denigrate the rule of law, defame law enforcement, cheer mobs, excuse rioters, and transform justice into a tool of political vengeance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n