Biden Says the Substance Behind Impeachment Charge 'Not in Dispute'

President Joe Biden late Saturday said despite former President Donald Trump being acquitted by the Senate “the substance of the charge is not in dispute,” noting that seven Republicans joined all Democrats in finding the former president guilty.

“Even those opposed to the conviction, like Senate Minority Leader McConnell, believe Donald Trump was guilty of a ‘disgraceful dereliction of duty’ and ‘practically and morally responsible for provoking’ the violence unleashed on the Capitol,” Biden said in a statement.

“Tonight, I am thinking about those who bravely stood guard that January day,” Biden added. “I’m 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. And I’m thinking of those who demonstrated the courage to protect the integrity of our democracy – Democrats and Republicans, election officials and judges, elected representatives and poll workers – before and after the election.

“This sad chapter in our history has reminded us that democracy is fragile,” he wrote. “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.”

“That is how we end this uncivil war and heal the very soul of our nation. That is the task ahead. And it’s a task we must undertake together. As the United States of America.”