McConnell: 'Time to move on' after Trump acquittal

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says "it's time to move on" now that President Donald Trump has been acquitted in the impeachment trial.

"We voted. We've had a number of internal meetings to discuss all of this, which you all ended up knowing a good deal about and writing about. It's time to move on," said McConnell.

"This decision has been made, as far as I'm concerned. It's in the rearview mirror and the consequences of it in terms of future are up to the voters of the country to decide who they want to lead the government."

On the first article of impeachment, Trump was charged with abuse of power. He was found not guilty. The second, obstruction of Congress, also produced a not guilty verdict.

Only one Republican, Mitt Romney of Utah, the party's defeated 2012 presidential nominee, broke with the GOP.

Both Bill Clinton in 1999 and Andrew Johnson in 1868 drew cross-party support when they were left in office after an impeachment trial. President Richard Nixon resigned rather than face revolt from his own party.

"The main thing that drove Andrew Johnson's impeachment was they just didn't like it. Sound familiar?," said McConnell.

"I'm glad it ended the way it did. I hope the message to the House of Representatives, don't do this again."

McConnell went on to say the focus for his party is now the election for the president and his fellow Senators.

Trump's approval rating, which has generally languished in the mid- to low-40s, hit a new high of 49% in the latest Gallup polling, which was conducted as the Senate trial was drawing to a close.

The poll found that 51% of the public views the Republican Party favorably, the first time the GOP's number has exceeded 50% since 2005.