Mitt Romney Says He ‘Agonized’ over Impeachment: ‘I Hoped Beyond Hope’ I Wouldn’t Find Him Guilty

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT), who voted to convict President Trump for abuse of power last week, claimed on Sunday that he “agonized” over the responsibility that came with his decision and said he had “hoped beyond hope” he would not find President Trump guilty.

Speaking to KSL’s Sunday Edition during the weekend, Romney, who asserted last week that the president “committed an act so extreme and egregious that it rises to the level of a high crime and misdemeanor,” said he “agonized over the responsibility that ultimately would come [his] way” and proclaimed that he “hoped beyond hope” he would not find Trump guilty.

“Well, I took my responsibility exactly as the Constitution defines it and as the oath I took requires it,” Romney told KSL’s Doug Wright, again citing his oath before God, “which is what I was sworn before God to apply impartial justice as a Senate juror.”

The Utah senator continued to defend his decision, proclaiming that he “thoroughly studied” the evidence, which moved him to vote to convict the president.

Pollster Stands By Rejected Survey Showing Struggling Democrat in Single Digits That He Released Anyway

Doctor Pushing Puberty Blockers on Teen Boy Was Charged With Possessing Child Porn

Sisters, friend charged in Texas mom’s stabbing death

The Swamp’s Got Another Bright Idea, and It Could End Up Hosing Every American Who Drives

SCOTUS Showdown Over Gun Suppressors Looms After Appeals Court Creates ‘Circuit Split’

What to know about the July Fourth celebrations in DC

WATCH: Biden appears confused about where to exit stage after Democratic gala remarks

It’s Happening: CA Revival Extends for Weeks, ‘Greatest Nights’ in Over 50 Years of Evangelist’s Crusades

Parents Sue Snapchat Alleging Its Responsibility For 12-Year-Old’s Rape

Young Americans break sharply from older Americans on China threat, new poll finds

SNAP food stamp fraud has nefarious terrorism links, top Agriculture watchdog warns Congress

Frustrated blue-collar union bosses rip socialist politicians, warn of labor exodus from Dem party

Polygamous sect leader convicted on state charges after girls found in unventilated trailer

Englishman Visits America For World Cup, Meets Trump: ‘I Now Understand The American Dream’

Mackenzie Shirilla’s appeal rejected by court after ‘The Crash’ revives ‘Hell on Wheels’ case

“I agonized over the responsibility that ultimately would come my way,” Romney said. “I hoped beyond hope that I would not have to find him guilty of what had been alleged.”

“They didn’t want to provide any information for those of us who were having a responsibility to provide impartial justice,” Romney said of the refusal to allow additional witnesses to testify.

He also attributed his decision to “family tradition,” citing his dad, whom he described as “a person who stood by his word and did exactly what he thought was right regardless of the consequence.”

“And that is a family tradition which I hold dear,” he said.

“I did believe that I was doing exactly what I swore I would do,” he added.

Romney’s decision to convict the president earned him high praise from high-profile Democrats, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who praised her colleague’s “courage” during Friday’s Democrat debate in New Hampshire.

“There was a lot of courage you saw from very few people,” Klobuchar said. “There was courage from Doug Jones, our friends from Alabama that took that tough vote. There was courage from Mitt Romney, who took a very, very difficult vote”:

Amy Klobuchar knocks idea of being a "cool newcomer": "We have a newcomer in the White House, and look where it got us. I think having some experience is a good thing." https://t.co/Rhy9aOaDTU #DemDebate pic.twitter.com/cqusxWYJfl

— ABC News (@ABC) February 8, 2020