Trump takes impeachment victory lap after 'terrible ordeal'
Trump indicated he was in no mood for forgiveness
US President Donald Trump lashed out at rival Democrats Thursday in a lengthy speech revelling in his impeachment acquittal and raging at the investigations that have overshadowed his administration.
He said his opponents were "vicious and mean" and that he had been "through hell" in the impeachment process.
It was "not a news conference, not a speech, it's not anything," Trump said, speaking at the White House. "It's a celebration."
Trump indicated he was in no mood for forgiveness, saying he'd been "put through a terrible ordeal by some very dishonest and corrupt people."
"They have done everything possible to destroy us and by so doing very badly hurt our nation," he said.
He appeared to rip into Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi, who as speaker of the House led his impeachment, and Mitt Romney, the lone Republican senator to support the charges.
"I don't like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong," he said in a clear reference to Romney, a devout Mormon who cited his faith as a reason for breaking ranks with Trump.
"Nor do I like people who say 'I pray for you' when they know that's not so," he added in a jab at Pelosi, who has often spoken of praying for Trump, and who was seated an arm's length away.
Right before Trump spoke, Harvard professor Arthur Patterson called on the audience to address the "contempt and polarization that is tearing our societies apart."