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.

Multiple Sources Confirm GOP Senator Attempted IVF Expansion During NDAA Talks

Trump Comes Out Against FISA ‘If it Doesn’t Come with the Save America Act,’ Complicating Congressional Showdown

Trump admin puts alleged ‘birth tourism’ scheme on notice as expert delivers warning to hospitals

Teen accused of killing stepsister on Carnival cruise ship ordered detained before murder trial

Three more alleged antifa cell members indicted on terrorism charges over Texas ICE attack

ALERT: Massive B-52 Stratofortress Has Crashed at Edwards Air Force Base – Video

Judge dismisses xAI lawsuit accusing OpenAI of stealing trade secrets

Live explosive device found near Homeland Security office in Cleveland, forcing mass evacuations

Same-name candidate disqualified from key Senate race over alleged Dem scheme to confuse voters

Mainstream Media Deceptively Twists the Truth About World Cup Star’s Jesus-Honoring Celebration

US won’t move troops despite ‘signed’ Iran deal, as doubts linger over Tehran’s next move

Austin Metcalf’s father rips former Frisco schools chief as ‘spineless’ over Karmelo Anthony graduation

Trump plans to ‘focus’ on ending Russia-Ukraine war following peace deal with Iran

Ivy League student investigated after alleged antisemitic internship rejection: ‘Not working for a Jew’

SEE IT: UFC legend denies posting alleged Eric Trump DMs, claims he was hacked

See also Trump arrives for UFC fight

“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