Source: AP Photo/Evan Vucci
President Trump proudly waved a handful of newspapers
declaring, "Acquittal" at the National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday,
before tearing into the Democrats (and Mitt Romney) for being on the losing
side. He used the word "corrupt" and blasted the self righteousness
of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for claiming she "prays" for him, while
simultaneously leading the effort for his removal. She was sitting just a few feet away from him as he delivered those
fiery remarks.
A few hours later Trump delivered his much hyped
post-acquittal press conference at the White House. He walked up to the podium
accompanied by an extended standing ovation.
Another round of applause was saved for Trump's
impeachment defense team and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
"We've all been through a lot together," Trump
said.
He called the campaign launched by Democrats the past few
months (and the past few years), as a "witch hunt" and "a
disgrace." He suspected that a weaker president would not have survived
the impeachment. Trump pinpointed his victory to one key decision he made a few
years ago.
"Had I not fired James Comey, who was a disaster by
the way, it's possible I wouldn't be standing here right now," Trump said.
"We caught him in the act."
He later added that Comey is a "sleazebag" and
part of a larger campaign of "bad cops" who were trying to remove him
from office.
Today, though, Trump said, is a "celebration."
"We went through hell, unfairly, did nothing
wrong," he said. "Did nothing wrong."
He then flashed a copy of The Washington Post that
read, "Trump Acquitted."
"I'll take that home, maybe I'll frame it," he
joked, adding that it was probably the "best headline" the WaPo has
ever granted him.
Trump: Did nothing
wrong. I’ve done things wrong in my life, I will admit. Not purposely, but I’ve
done things wrong, but this is what the end result is.
The president again took a swipe at Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) for being the sole Republican to vote to convict him on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power. The senator, who Trump preferred to call a "failed presidential candidate," used "religion as a crutch" to justify his vote against the president.
The president again took a swipe at Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) for being the sole Republican to vote to convict him on the first article of impeachment, abuse of power. The senator, who Trump preferred to call a "failed presidential candidate," used "religion as a crutch" to justify his vote against the president.
