World Reacts To Trump’s Historic Impeachment

• President Calls for Prayers As White House Hits Back 

A flood tide of reactions have been trailing the impeachment of the 45th President of the U.S, Donald J. Trump on Wednesday by the House of Representatives over abuse of power and obstruction of Congress investigation.

However, two-third of votes are still needed to finalize the impeachment process when trial begins at the U.S Senate, dominated by Senators from Trump’s Republican party.

Trump became the third U.S President after Andrew Johnson (1868) and Bill Clinton (1998) to be impeached by House legislators, following a fierce debate and vote on two articles of impeachment against him after weeks of testimony related to his dealings with Ukraine.

The House voted 230-197 to impeach Trump for abusing his power in his dealings with Ukraine and another 229-198 for obstruction of justice, as both articles of impeachment were passed.

House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, who kicked off the impeachment debate in a lengthy speech said the action was “one of the most solemn powers this body can take.”

“No member, regardless of political or party, comes to Congress to impeach a president,” said Pelosi.

Speaker Pelosi noted that Trump had pursued an “improper personal benefit” at “the expense of our national security,” which “gave us no choice” but to impeach.

“If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duties,” Pelosi added.

Many commentators from around the world have been drawing positives from the impeachment, enunciating on how democracies can develop strong institutions that will strengthen the concept of the separation of power as a principle that every healthy democracy must thrive upon.

The global reactions were instantaneous and trendy too as top politicians, celebrities and social media users at large continue to weigh in on the House final decision:

President Trump abused his power, violated his oath of office, and betrayed our nation. This is a solemn moment for our country. But in the United States of America, no one is above the law — not even the President.

— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) December 19, 2019

The House of Representatives rightly carried out its constitutional responsibility by voting to impeach Donald Trump, the most corrupt president in our history. No one, including the president, is above the law.

— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) December 19, 2019

History but more importantly an opportunity for African leaders to soberly reflect on their style of governance! #TrumpImpeachment pic.twitter.com/0K0ZNeaMjl

— #UReport 🇬🇭 (@Iam_wiseosei) December 19, 2019

#TrumpImpeachment is what a serious country is supposed to look like, the ability to check and balance the actions of the president and take appropriate measures if he's found wanting, this can NEVER happen in Nigeria

— Obi Of Onitsha🇨🇦 (@cliqik) December 19, 2019

Finally 2019 provided some good news! Shame the Senate has a republican majority but it will be hard to shake this tag during the next election. #TrumpImpeachment pic.twitter.com/McWS3t13IY

— John Feather (@johnf3v) December 19, 2019

Donald Trump is 300 times better than President Buhari but he got #Impeached Buhari would have been sentenced to death if he tries what he does in Nigeria in America. #TrumpImpeachment pic.twitter.com/LYY0htGasI

— Baby boy 👼 (@Iam_ChisomLucky) December 19, 2019

The problem with Nigerians is when we are pushed back to the wall, we breakdown the wall and move further back..

Nigerians look at the US rightly or wrongly asking questions of #DonaldTrump, but justify every wrong here. #TrumpImpeachment

— Raymond (@IamTheIroko) December 19, 2019

#TrumpImpeachment The Dems as with Labour in the UK are a joke.A collection of positively discriminated charlatans with a predilection toward identity politics due to any lack of substantial policy.Parties built on lies that they sell to folks they've deliberately under educated

— damianslaughter (@druid1111) December 18, 2019

Just like Labour here in the UK, the US Democrats act as to be above the people, not for the people. Fortunately it won’t pass the republican held senate, however it will be a black mark on his Presidency. Dems will be punished in 2020 #TrumpImpeachment

— The People's Government (@get_brexit) December 19, 2019

Given UK relies on USA for defence, failure of our political/media class to scrutinise Trump's past, connections and actions in office amounts to gross negligence. These are deeply worrying times for the Western alliance that delivered us peace and prosperity. #TrumpImpeachment

— Political Gambler (@paulmotty) December 19, 2019

just out of curiosity i checked on the impeached presidents and guess what.. no African country has ever had one, so African leaders are more better ama they know how to use power in all ways possible🤔😅#trumpimpeachment

— Kevin klex (@kevinklexb) December 19, 2019

Trump: ‘Say a Prayer’

The US President while reacting to the impeachment news called for prayers from supporters, denying any wrongdoing. Trump noted that his interest in launching the investigations against likely foe in the 2020 presidential race, Democrat’s Joe Biden in Ukraine was legitimate because he wanted to eradicate corruption.

He described the impeachment inquiry as “sham” and “hoax”.

Trump tweeted: “I DID NOTHING WRONG”.

“Can you believe that I will be impeached today by the Radical left, Do Nothing Democrats, AND I DID NOTHING WRONG! A terrible Thing. Read the transcripts. This should never happen to another President again. Say a PRAYER!”

White House Kicks

Meanwhile, the White House has hit back at lawmakers after Trump was impeached, slamming the “illegitimate articles of impeachment” and voicing confidence the president would be acquitted in the Senate.

“Democrats have chosen to proceed on this partisan basis in spite of the fact that the President did absolutely nothing wrong,” spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement, calling the votes in the House of Representatives an “unconstitutional travesty”.

Grisham said that there were no fact witnesses in the hearing and alleged bias by the Democrats.

“The President is confident the Senate will restore regular order, fairness, and due process, all of which were ignored in the House proceedings.

”He is prepared for the next steps and confident that he will be fully exonerated,” the statement said, referring to the upcoming trial in the upper chamber.

Trump was alleged to have blocked the payment of a congressionally mandated $400 million military aid package to obtain quid pro quo cooperation from, Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.

He eventually released the aid package.

The U.S. President was accused to have pressured Ukrainian President to investigate former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter over Hunter’s involvement with the Ukrainian natural-gas company Burisma Holdings.

President Trump also reportedly asked President Zelensky to look into the conspiracy theory alleging Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. election.