"It was the opposite of prayer"

Trump takes victory lap in speech after impeachment acquittal

A day after the Senate failed to convict him on two articles of impeachment, President Donald Trump struck back at his “enemies” at the National Prayer Breakfast in the morning and during remarks later in the East Room of the White House.

Trump was unsparing in his criticism of the people who impeached him on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, which were dismissed Wednesday by the Senate.

At the 68th National Prayer Breakfast, Trump brandished two newspaper front pages with headlines that included the word “acquitted” as attendees showered him with applause.

“Weeks ago, and again yesterday, courageous Republican politicians and leaders had the wisdom, the fortitude, and strength to do what everyone knows was right,” Trump told the breakfast. “I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong. Nor do I like people who say, ‘I pray for you,’ when they know that that’s not so,” Trump told the crowd.

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Not everyone reacted positively to Trump’s comments.

“It was the opposite of prayer,” said the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest, calling Trump’s remarks “an exercise in spite, contempt and vanity.”