The path is now clear for Donald Trump to run for president again… but will he?

But ultimately – and critically – many felt the Democrats didn’t have the support of the Constitution.

The early vote on whether it was constitutional to proceed with the trial gave us a very good idea of where the ultimate vote would land. Only a small handful of Republicans supported the Democrats pursuing the trial in the first place.

Of course, there was some nuance. Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader who voted to acquit the president, delivered an excoriating post-trial speech – claiming that Donald Trump was “practically and morally responsible” for provoking the Capitol riot.

So what stopped him voting to convict? The Constitution, he said. His belief is you can’t convict a former president.

Democrats and critics viewed that pretty dimly. It is the same Mitch McConnell who could have decided to allow a trial while Mr Trump was still in office, and decided not to.

So, what’s at play? Some say it’s pure political survival. There are those with an eye on the midterms, others with an eye on running in 2024. And there are those who don’t think Mr Trump’s words directly incited a mob.

Democrats tried to frame it as a defining moment – a chance for people to carve their political legacies and to be forever remembered for calling out Donald Trump.

But the thing is, not enough people felt obliged or able to do that. It means the path is now clear for Mr Trump to run in 2024. A close friend of his tells me he’s convinced he won’t in the end, but will probably tease us with headlines about it for a couple of years.