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.
California congresswoman did not disclose money her husband received from nonprofit
Air traffic controllers turn on FAA chief as tensions boil over
43-Year-Old College Freshman with Extensive Criminal Past Arrested for Alleged Dorm Sexual Assault
Alabama Police Department Calls Out Local Seniors for Weak Attempt at a Senior Prank: ‘That’s It?’
Newsom appearance in rural South Carolina draws split-screen of support and protesters
Trump commutes sentence for former Philadelphia union official, attorney says
Former Trump Cabinet official had ‘inappropriately close’ relationship with bodyguard, IG finds
Javier Milei escalates Falkland Islands feud after Trump questions UK backing
Susan Collins Gives Hilarious Answer to Whether She’ll Bring Up Troy Jackson’s ‘Personal Life’ in Maine Senate Race
Top DHS lawyer turns tables on 128 ex-judges after Bar declines ‘Worst of the Worst’ complaint
Lindsay Clancy jury enters Day 7 after bombshell one-juror standoff and more top headlines
Ted Cruz names ‘most powerful Democrat’ as he warns socialist rise has paralyzed bipartisanship
Blue state school district accused of defying Supreme Court, hiding gender transitions from parents
Coast Guard recovers 47 bales of suspected marijuana worth $2.4M after intercepting go-fast vessel
Trump administration proposes stripping tax-exempt status from schools using race-based programs
“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
California congresswoman did not disclose money her husband received from nonprofit
Air traffic controllers turn on FAA chief as tensions boil over
43-Year-Old College Freshman with Extensive Criminal Past Arrested for Alleged Dorm Sexual Assault
Alabama Police Department Calls Out Local Seniors for Weak Attempt at a Senior Prank: ‘That’s It?’
Newsom appearance in rural South Carolina draws split-screen of support and protesters
Trump commutes sentence for former Philadelphia union official, attorney says
Former Trump Cabinet official had ‘inappropriately close’ relationship with bodyguard, IG finds
Javier Milei escalates Falkland Islands feud after Trump questions UK backing
Susan Collins Gives Hilarious Answer to Whether She’ll Bring Up Troy Jackson’s ‘Personal Life’ in Maine Senate Race
Top DHS lawyer turns tables on 128 ex-judges after Bar declines ‘Worst of the Worst’ complaint
Lindsay Clancy jury enters Day 7 after bombshell one-juror standoff and more top headlines
Ted Cruz names ‘most powerful Democrat’ as he warns socialist rise has paralyzed bipartisanship
Blue state school district accused of defying Supreme Court, hiding gender transitions from parents
Coast Guard recovers 47 bales of suspected marijuana worth $2.4M after intercepting go-fast vessel
Trump administration proposes stripping tax-exempt status from schools using race-based programs
Trump has since slammed Romney for his decision, launching a scathing video criticizing the “slick, slippery, stealthy” lawmaker. The president also took a jab at Romney during last week’s prayer breakfast.
“I don’t like people who use their faith as justification for doing what they know is wrong,” he said.
However, Romney is not backing down from his decision, telling Sunday Edition, “I hope (Trump) will recognize that there are lines that some people feel he crossed.”
“I am one of those,” he added.
Story cited here.
