After Trump’s Conviction, a Wary World Waits for the Fallout
The verdict in the impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trump was a foregone conclusion. The question now is what it means for the United States and the world.
The Senate voted on Saturday to convict Mr. Trump of inciting an insurrection, making him the first president in American history to be impeached twice. But the vote was not unanimous, with seven Republicans joining all 50 Democrats to find him guilty.
The verdict was a rebuke of Mr. Trump’s role in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, but it was also a reminder of the deep divisions that persist in the United States, and the political and social forces that have been unleashed by his presidency.
The trial was a spectacle that played out on the world stage, with the eyes of allies and adversaries alike on the proceedings. The outcome will have implications for the United States and its standing in the world, as well as for the future of democracy and the rule of law.
Here are some of the key questions and potential consequences of the verdict:
- What does the verdict mean for Mr. Trump’s political future?
The verdict means that Mr. Trump is now a private citizen, barred from holding public office again. But it does not prevent him from running for president in 2024, if he chooses to do so.
The verdict also means that Mr. Trump’s political influence is likely to be diminished, at least in the short term. Many Republicans have distanced themselves from him, and some have called for him to be expelled from the party.
But Mr. Trump remains a powerful force in the Republican Party, and his base of supporters is still loyal to him. He is likely to continue to be a major player in the party, and his influence could grow if he decides to run for office again.
- What does the verdict mean for the Republican Party?
The verdict is a blow to the Republican Party, which has been divided over Mr. Trump since he left office. The seven Republicans who voted to convict him were a small but significant group, and their decision could embolden other Republicans to break with Mr. Trump.