The U.S. senators from Florida and Georgia voted along party lines in former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial.
The Senate on Saturday acquitted Trump of inciting the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
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The vote was 57-43, with seven Republicans joining all 50 Democrats.
Here’s how each senator from Florida and Georgia voted and their statements:
Sen. Marco Rubio
Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., voted to acquit Trump.
Rubio released the following statement after the vote:
“Just minutes after the attack of January 6th began I said it was not only unpatriotic, it was un-American.
“I do not need to be convinced that what happened on that day was the disgraceful work of a treasonous criminal mob.
“But seeing images of that attack stirred up anger in me.
“Anger that our nation was embarrassed in the eyes of the world by our own citizens.
“Anger that Capitol Police officers that my family and I know personally had to deal with these low-lives.
“Anger that janitorial and food service staff I have gotten to know – many who came to America to get away from countries with political violence – had to clean up the mess left behind by these cretins.
“But if we have learned anything this week, it should be how dangerous it is to allow anger to influence actions.
“The lead House Manager argued today that this trial isn’t about Donald Trump. That it was about our country. And that those who refuse to vote to convict are condoning the actions of a violent mob and failing to defend the honor of our Capitol and the people who work here.
“This is a ridiculous and insulting argument.
“Impeachment is not a way of sending a message or taking symbolic action. Impeachment exists for one principal reason: to remove from office an office holder guilty of wrongdoing.
“And claiming that anyone who doesn’t vote to convict someone no longer in office is the equivalent of supporting a criminal mob is nothing but hyper-partisan politicians masquerading as high minded prosecutors trying to smear their political opponents.
“The Senate does not have the Constitutional power to convict a former official. And even if we did we should be very reluctant to use it.
“In the 244 year history of our Republic we have never convicted and disqualified a former official in an impeachment trial. Doing so now would create a new precedent. And it would weaponize impeachment in a way we will come to regret.
“The day will come when a future Congress – one with a new majority in the House filled with new members elected on the promise of holding accountable leaders of the opposite party – will give in to these passions and impeach a former official. The Senate will then find itself conducting a trial of that former official.
“A trial justified by the precedent we are asked to set here today. And a Senate tempted to convict by the tantalizing opportunity to disqualify that official from future public office.
“My fear of creating dangerous precedents is not new.
“Two years ago, I was accused by some in my party of being a traitor because I opposed using an emergency declaration to fund a border wall that I supported.
“I warned then that a future Democratic President would do the same thing to fund a Green New Deal. And now, just two years later, leading Democrats are calling for that very thing.
“The lead manager admitted today that for the Democrats and their enablers working in the legacy media the purpose of this trial was not to hold the former President accountable.
“The real purpose of this trial was to tar and feather not just the rioters, but anyone who supported the former President and any Senator who refuses to vote to convict.
“I voted to acquit former President Trump because I will not allow my anger over the criminal attack of January 6th nor the political intimidation from the left to lead me into supporting a dangerous constitutional precedent.
“The election is over. A new President is in the White House and a new Congress has been sworn in.
“Let history, and if necessary the courts, judge the events of the past.
“We should be focused on the serious challenges of the present and preparing our country to confront the serious tests it will face in the future.”
The attack on 6 Jan was a crime & a disgrace
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 13, 2021
But the Senate does not have the Constitutional power to convict a former government official no longer in office. https://t.co/SSkD7sNvnG
Sen. Rick Scott
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also voted to acquit Trump.
Following the vote, Scott released the statement below:
“The attack on the Capitol we all witnessed on January 6 was horrific and the lawless thugs who are responsible for the disgusting violence we saw do not represent America. They should all be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. However, this week, instead of addressing the serious issues facing our nation, Democrats in Congress put our work for the American people on hold and pushed forward with an unconstitutional impeachment trial. The Democrats’ political theater was better suited for the Kennedy Center than the U.S. Capitol. It was a waste of everyone’s time and tax dollars.
“It’s time to get back to work. I am more focused than ever on battling the coronavirus pandemic, addressing our nation’s unsustainable $27 trillion debt, holding our adversaries and the brutal dictators that lead them accountable and finding real solutions that protect DACA and tackle America’s border security problem. I’ll continue fighting to make Washington work and get things done for Florida families.”
Sen. Jon Ossoff
Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., voted to convict Trump.
On Saturday evening, Ossoff tweeted this:
“Trump attempted to seize the Presidency despite electoral defeat.
“He intimidated election officials, provoked a violent assault on the Capitol, and left Congress and the Vice President to the mob.
“His disgrace is total and his apologists in Congress are marked by history.”
Trump attempted to seize the Presidency despite electoral defeat.
— Jon Ossoff (@ossoff) February 13, 2021
He intimidated election officials, provoked a violent assault on the Capitol, and left Congress and the Vice President to the mob.
His disgrace is total and his apologists in Congress are marked by history.
Sen. Raphael Warnock
Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., also voted to convict Trump.
After the vote, Warnock released this statement:
“If Donald Trump’s actions were not impeachable, then nothing is. My vote today reflects that deeply-held conviction.
“We witnessed firsthand a vile attempt to disenfranchise millions of voters, and an egregious interruption of the peaceful transfer of power by the President of the United States. Accountability is critical to our nation moving forward and addressing the challenges so many families and communities face. And as a voice for the people of Georgia in the Senate, I take seriously my duty to defend our Constitution and uphold the values of our democracy.
“My colleagues who voted ‘not guilty’ had an opportunity and a moral obligation to choose principle over politics—and sadly, they chose politics in a trial where the human consequences could hardly be more tragic and the stakes could not be higher. The people—including those who bravely served and defended the Capitol—have been done a grave disservice. But somehow we must begin to turn the page, and continue the people’s work.”