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.

Biden special counsel’s ‘runaway train’ scooped up sensitive lawmaker info: ‘Abuse of power’

Congressman sounds the alarm on China: ‘We’re sleepwalking through this competition’

How long can Iran play its energy card?

Florida men indicted in armed home invasion where suspect posed as utility worker, 13-year-old zip-tied: DOJ

California inmate who spent 45 years on death row for murdering pregnant wife dies

Punks Beat Pro Poker Winner Back to His Airbnb, Ambushed and Hogtied Him, Stole All His Winnings

Trump revives his decades-old Iran warning as US ramps up military pressure: ‘remarkably consistent’

‘This is not normal’: AOC unloads on McConnell’s prolonged absence

Jack Smith team reviewed contents of texts involving 44 members of Congress, DOJ records show

GOP Senator Calls on Iran’s Neighbors to ‘Finish the Job’ After US Troops Did the Hard Part

‘Worst of the Worst’: ICE Announces Arrests of Scores of Murderers, Pedophiles, And Drug Traffickers

Pritzker skewered as ‘victim of his own’ policy after repeat offender arrested in governor’s backyard

WATCH: GOP senators rally behind Lindsey Graham’s sister as successor, remember late senator’s legacy

Israeli Knesset passes bill banning arrest of ultra-orthodox who refuse military service, despite pleas from IDF

Appeals court hands Trump win in fight over 2020 USPS mail changes

“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