President Donald Trump has been found not guilty in his impeachment trial, ending a bid to remove him from office that bitterly divided the US.

Democrats charged Mr Trump in December with pressuring Ukraine to smear a potential White House rival.

His re-election campaign said in a statement: "President Trump has been totally vindicated and it's now time to get back to the business of the American people.

• Vindicted: Clear of blame or suspicion
• Smear: damage the reputation of (someone) by false accusations; slander.

The heroic political outlaw

Analysis by Gary O'Donoghue, Washington @BBCBlindGazza

So what was that?

According to the president, it was neither speech nor news conference; it was "nothing", it was a "celebration".

It was certainly about 62 minutes long and veered wildly between self-congratulation, via self-justification, to self-pity with a smattering of bilious expletives and insults to describe his political opponents en route.

a smattering of bilious expletives 

Smattering-slight superficial knowledge of language

bilious - Bad tempered, anger

expletives- Oath or swear words

It was both a lap of honour and an emotional rollercoaster, all played out in front of his Republican flock, the nation and the world.

Frankly, it was hard to keep up.

One moment the president was railing against liars, leakers and "dirty cops"; the next we were into an anecdote about a wrestling team from Penn State University.

Catharsis:  a great relief with strong emotion

The acquitted, no doubt, enjoy a moment of catharsis - the moment of euphoria when the pall of guilt is lifted and renewal can begin. But don't expect this president to put this one behind him - it's far too valuable an electoral stick with which to beat his rivals right up to polling day.

President Trump's appeal in 2016 was as the outsider, the man to "drain the swamp" and give power back to the people.

The impeachment process will allow Trump 45 to once again assume the mantle of the heroic political outlaw.