On Feb. 5, 2020, President Donald Trump became the third president acquitted of impeachment, along with Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.

After being impeached for Abuse of Power, with a 230-197 vote, and Obstruction of Congress, with a 229-198 vote, the next step of the process shifted into the hands of the Senate.

At the time of Trump’s impeachment hearings, the Senate was mostly made up of Republicans, leading members of the Senate and the American people to believe that Trump would remain in office by the end of the vote.

During a Town Hall Meeting held prior to the Senate’s vote, Senator Bernie Sanders commented on Republican Senators for not having “courage to do what many of them know is right.”

Although it could be assumed the president wouldn’t face conviction, including Sanders, members of the Senate who believed Trump was guilty did not change their votes. Republican Senator of Utah Mitt Romney voted to convict, which increased Trump’s chances of removal from office.

Romney made it clear Before the official voting process began, Romney made it clear that he would vote to convict, which gave the Democratic party a higher chance of convicting Trump.

Romney shared in an interview with Fox News prior to the vote that he “believe[s] [Trump] should be removed from office.” He continued by confirming his vote: “That’s the vote I will take in just a short while.”

In the end, Trump was acquitted and continues to serve in the White House.

Some members of the Point Park community have mixed emotions regarding the President’s acquittal.

John Ziegler, freshman political science major, enjoys keeping up with the world of politics.

“I thought the vote was intriguing,” Ziegler said. “Personally, I thought his offenses were impeachable from the testimonies that took place in the House of Representatives, but the Senate robbed the American people of a true indicator of his innocence.”

Ziegler was not only intrigued, but confused with Trump’s acquittal.

“I question why they were so hesitant to allow witnesses and testimonies if he was innocent,” Ziegler said. “I am also disappointed in [the] Senators saying his actions were either illegal or unjust, but did not vote to impeach solely because they believed that impeachment would further divide the country.”

On the other hand, there are others who are satisfied with the outcome of this situation.

“It was obviously going to happen,” freshman Colten Oakes said, pleased with the Senate’s final decision. “This game that the Democrats are playing is a waste of taxpayer dollars. The Democrats have really shown they are willing to try anything to get Trump out of office; however, they are not willing to produce authentic and legitimate evidence and be thorough enough to actually make an attempt with any validity to it.”

Freshman Cody Ford shares similar views regarding the acquittal with Oakes. To Ford, the hearings were a waste of time.

“I am happy because the whole thing from the beginning was embarrassing,” Ford said. “The only thing on the agenda is to get him out of office, and they’re willing to go to any extent to do so.”

Trump is currently eligible for re-election in Nov. 2020.