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Trump impeachment trial live updates: Biden says charge 'not in dispute' in 1st comments on acquittal

Biden remembered those who were killed and called for unity going forward.

Last Updated: February 15, 2021, 4:10 PM EST

Former President Donald Trump's historic second impeachment trial ended with a 57-43 vote to acquit in the Senate. He faced a single charge of incitement of insurrection over his actions leading up to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Feb 11, 2021, 1:51 PM EST

DeGette says that threats of violence from Trump supporters 'is not over'

House impeachment manager Rep. Diana DeGette argued that Trump's supporters still represent a threat, adding that threats of violence during the inauguration were prevented by the increased security posture.

House impeachment manager Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., speaks during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump in the Senate at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Feb. 11, 2021.
Senate TV via AP

"In fact, after news broke of law enforcement's preparedness for further attacks, leaders of the Proud Boys, the Three Percenters militia, the organizers of the Million MAGA March, they all now told their followers to avoid protests up to or leading up to the inauguration for fear that law enforcement would crush them and arrest rioters who showed up," DeGette said. "Thank God there wasn't an insurrection sequel here on January 20th."

DeGette insisted that this impeachment should not be to "punish" Trump, but to prevent further violence from his supporters.

"Impeachment is not to punish but to prevent. We are not here to punish Donald Trump. We are here to prevent the seeds of hatred that he planted from bearing any more fruit. As my colleague showed, this was not the first time that President Trump inspired violence, but it must be the last time that he's given a platform to do so. This must be our wake-up call. We must condemn it," DeGette said. "Because the threat is not over."

Feb 11, 2021, 1:50 PM EST

A look inside the Senate chamber

As House impeachment managers are continuing to build their case that Trump’s actions and words led directly to rioters' actions on multiple occasions, some senators seemed to be losing interest in the early parts of Thursday's arguments.

However, their attention returned at a few key moments including when House managers played video of rioters yelling "fight for Trump." Most senators also looked up when video of the Charlottesville, Virginia, "Unite the Right" rally in 2017 played in which protesters chanted, "Jews will not replace us."

PHOTO: Sen. Patrick Leahy wields the gavel to convene the U.S. Senate as he presides over the start of the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump on the floor of the Senate chamber in Washington, Feb. 9, 2021.
Sen. Patrick Leahy wields the gavel to convene the U.S. Senate as he presides over the start of the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump, on charges of inciting the deadly attack, on the floor of the Senate chamber in Washington, Feb. 9, 2021.
U.S. Senate TV via Reuters

Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who learned for the first time during the trial Wednesday how close he came to the mob until Officer Eugene Goodman steered him away, looked especially thoughtful during a clip played of a rioter saying on Jan. 6, "We were invited here."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell remained stoic -- as he has throughout this trial -- with his hands folded in his lap, legs crossed. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sat slumped in his chair as the presentation went on and sat back up as lead impeachment manager Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., finished speaking.

Lead Impeachment Manager Rep. Jamie Raskin speaks on the third day of former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial at the U.S. Capitol, Feb. 11, 2021, in Washington, DC.
Senate TV via Getty Images

As Raskin finished and Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., began his presentation, several Republicans got up to go into the cloakroom, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz who challenged the election results in Arizona on Jan. 6.

-ABC News' Trish Turner

Feb 11, 2021, 1:42 PM EST

Lieu highlights Trump Cabinet departures following Capitol assault

House impeachment manager Rep. Ted Lieu played video clips of Republican figures denouncing Trump after the Capitol riot and highlighted the "flood of resignations from people inside President Trump's administration."

"His own officials felt so betrayed by his conduct that numerous officials resigned in protest days before the end of President Trump's term," Lieu said.

"They all took this dramatic action of resigning because they saw the clear link between President Trump's conduct and the violent insurrection," he added.

Feb 11, 2021, 1:27 PM EST

Lieu says Trump doesn't show remorse, only shows 'defiance'

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., asserted that Trump failed to show remorse for how his behavior incited the riots. Lieu cited Trump's failure pay his respects to U.S. Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick who died during the assault on the Capitol.

"President Trump not only failed to show remorse or take accountability, he made clear he is just beginning. For days, he did not address the nation after this attack. We needed our commander-in-chief to lead, to unite a grieving country, to comfort us. But what did President Trump do?," Lieu said. "Nothing, silence."

Lieu says that enhanced protection around the Capitol is necessary because Trump has not admitted that he lost the election. Lieu argued that his lack of remorse is important as Trump will 'undoubtedly' cause future harm.

Members of the national guard patrol the area outside of the Capitol during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 10, 2021.
Jose Luis Magana/AP

"He does not say the one sentence that would stop future political violence, 'the election was not stolen.' He still hasn't said that sentence" Lieu said. "That is why National Guard troops in full body armor still patrol outside."

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