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.

Here Comes the Bride – In Water Nearly Up to Her Waist

Arizona voter-law fight reaches SCOTUS as election groups warn ‘absurd’ consequence could ensue

Dunkin’ Opened a Drive-Thru Lane Just for Dogs — And It Was Pure Joy

Well-connected Dem operative learns fate after FBI busts him in child sex abuse sting

California McDonald’s Shootout Turns Deadly as Police Arrive: Turns Out the Perpetrator Was an Employee

How Stepdad Firefighter Learned of 911 Call in Most Painful Way Possible

Ex-Fetterman staffers promise more damaging details after blistering report: ‘Tip of the iceberg’

NJ mayor demands sanctuary policy rollback after baby killed in crash allegedly involving illegal immigrant

Patrick Clancy speaks out after hung jury in Lindsay Clancy case, addresses prospect of another trial

‘Black widow’ allegedly attempted to murder romantic partner, 69, she met online

Armed Florida Owner Shows What ‘Stand Your Ground’ Means as Intruder Attempts to Break Inside

Scientists Discover New Tick-Borne Virus After Spread of Mystery Illness

Squatter nightmare turns DC apartment building into ‘drug haven’ as legal battle drags on: ‘There’s no help’

Maryland’s only House Republican looks to Larry Hogan to help survive redistricting

Missouri AG files petition asking Supreme Court to revive Trump-backed redistricting map

“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