Donald Trump says Democrats had been given a “free pass to transform justice into a tool of political vengeance” after the US Senate voted to acquit the former president on charges he incited a violent insurrection.

Although the final vote came in as 57 “guilty” and 43 “not guilty”, the Democrats did not reach the two-thirds majority they needed to secure a conviction against Mr Trump.

Seven members of Mr Trump’s own party (Senators Ben Sasse, Mitt Romney, Richard Burr, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Pat Toomey and Bill Cassidy) joined Democrats on the charge of incitement.

In a statement after the trial, Mr Trump said it was “a sad commentary on our times” that the Democrats had been given a “free pass to transform justice into a tool of political vengeance, and persecute, blacklist, cancel and suppress all people and viewpoints with whom or which they disagree”.

He added: “I always have, and always will, be a champion for the unwavering rule of law, the heroes of law enforcement, and the right of Americans to peacefully and honourably debate the issues of the day without malice and without hate.

“No president has ever gone through anything like it, and it continues because our opponents cannot forget the almost 75 million people, the highest number ever for a sitting president, who voted for us just a few short months ago.”

US President Joe Biden said the acquittal was a reminder that democracy was “fragile”, and every American had a duty to defend the truth.

Mr Trump had been charged with “incitement of insurrection” over last month’s violence when the US Capitol was stormed by his supporters, just as Congress was attempting to ratify the 2020 election result.

Just before the 6 January riots, thousands of his supporters gathered at a “Save America” rally on the National Mall, minutes away from the Capitol.