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.

Shapiro responds to illegal immigrant trucker fiasco – says driver was in fed database first

Trump labels 6 Democrats who told troops to refuse unlawful orders ‘traitors’ who should be arrested

Biden’s Legacy: Illegal Driving 18-Wheeler Allegedly Killed National Guardsman, 23, in Another Needless Wreck

Holiday crime fears grow as ‘jugging’ thieves target shoppers carrying cash and gifts: ‘Only a matter of time’

It Was an Invasion – Huge Swaths of Students Missing From Classrooms as ICE Begins Enforcing Law in Charlotte, NC

Republicans facing ‘worst-case scenario’ in redistricting war as midterm elections near

Democrat indicted for alleged theft of disaster relief funds and more top headlines

Trump secures release of American trapped in Saudi Arabia for years over online posts

Texas father dies in accidental shooting on hunting trip, daughter says family is ‘heartbroken’

Federal judge allows Texas AG to challenge Harris County bail reforms: ‘Unleashing criminals’

Appeals court blocks order limiting immigration agents’ use of force in Chicago

Wealthy California town bans pickleball over noise complaints from paddles hitting balls

Senators warn of ‘fragile’ US air system after 43-day shutdown

Dem congresswoman indicted for ‘particularly selfish’ alleged theft of FEMA relief funds for campaign use

Blue city suspect with numerous prior arrests federally charged after allegedly setting woman ablaze on train

“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