Trump still might face punishment for Capitol riot even after Senate impeachment acquittal

Former President Donald Trump on Saturday, after the Senate acquitted him of the impeachment charge against him, teased a return to the political arena in his post-presidency -- but he may still face efforts to punish him for the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by his supporters.

The Senate failed to reach the 67-vote threshold to convict Trump on inciting an insurrection as charged in the House's article of impeachment. There were 57 votes to convict and 43 "not guilty" votes.

"Our historic, patriotic and beautiful movement to Make America Great Again has only just begun," Trump said in a statement following the vote. "In the months ahead I have much to share with you, and I look forward to continuing our incredible journey together to achieve American greatness for all of our people."

But in the coming weeks and months, Trump could also be facing continued efforts to hold him accountable for allegedly inspiring a mob of his followers to storm the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 joint session to certify the presidential election results. The rioters defaced the building and forced hundreds of lawmakers and former Vice President Mike Pence into hiding as they chanted "hang Mike Pence," among other things.

"There's no question ... that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said after the Senate vote that acquitted Trump. McConnell voted that Trump was not guilty. But he said his vote was not a reflection on Trump's actions and instead was an expression of his opinion that the Senate did not have the authority to hold an impeachment trial for a private citizen.

McConnell added that the attack "was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories and reckless hyperbole which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet Earth."