On Feb. 5, 2020, in two historic votes, the United States Senate voted to acquit President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment — abuse of power and obstruction of justice.

The first article, abuse of power, was rejected 48 to 52; Senator Mitt Romney (R.-Utah) was the only Congress member to break from party lines, and voted to remove President Trump from office. In explaining his decision, he said Trump had abused public trust and that his actions were “grievously wrong.” Romney added that he expects severe backlash from Republicans. 

The second article, obstruction of justice, was rejected 47 to 53, and fell along party lines. Both fell far short of the 67-vote supermajority required to convict the President. 

Chief Justice John Roberts, who presided over the third presidential impeachment trial in U.S. history, announced the results of the trial Wednesday afternoon. “The Senate, having tried Donald Trump, president of the United States, upon two articles of impeachment exhibited against him by the House of Representatives, and two-thirds of the senators present not having found him guilty of the charges contained therein: it is, therefore, ordered and adjudged that the said Donald John Trump be, and he is hereby, acquitted of the charges in said articles,” Roberts said. According to the Los Angeles Times, Roberts made an effort to remain impartial, and chastised both Democrats and Republicans for failing to meet standards of civility. 

The decision is a momentous victory for Trump, and could have significant implications for his presidential run. It comes just days after a Democrats’ motion for new witnesses failed, according to Politico.

“I will be making a public statement tomorrow at 12:00pm from the @WhiteHouse to discuss our Country’s VICTORY on the Impeachment Hoax!” Trump tweeted in response to his acquittal, along with a video implying he’ll be president ‘4EVA.’

The decision is the culmination of months of controversy that really started on July 25, 2019, when Special Counsel Robert Mueller testified to Congress about Russian interference in the 2016 election in support of Trump. Tensions continued to rise after reports that Trump attempted to pressure Ukraine into investigating his political rival, Joe Biden, by withholding congressionally-mandated military aid, and the actual impeachment investigation started on Sept. 24, 2019.