Romney responds after Senate vote acquits former President Trump
Feb 13, 2021, 3:26 PM
Senator Mitt Romney is facing a possible censure from other Utah Republicans at a GOP convention this weekend. (Photo by Senate Television via Getty Images)
(Photo by Senate Television via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY — Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) was among seven Republican senators who voted with Democrats to convict former President Donald Trump, on charges that he incited a violent protest on January 6.
The final vote had 48 Democrats, seven Republicans, and two Independent senators voting to convict Pres. Trump, and 43 Republicans voting to acquit Mr. Trump. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) was among the senators who voted to acquit.
“After careful consideration of the respective counsels’ arguments, I have concluded that President Trump is guilty of the charge made by the House of Representatives,” Romney said in a statement released to KSL.
“President Trump attempted to corrupt the election by pressuring the Secretary of State of Georgia to falsify the election results in his state. President Trump incited the insurrection against Congress by using the power of his office to summon his supporters to Washington on January 6th and urging them to march on the Capitol during the counting of electoral votes.
“He did this despite the obvious and well-known threats of violence that day. President Trump also violated his oath of office by failing to protect the Capitol, the Vice President, and others in the Capitol. Each and every one of these conclusions compels (sic) me to support conviction.”
In the days and weeks prior to the vote, Sen. Romney did not telegraph what his vote would be. Instead, he said he would listen to both sides and make a decision based on facts.
Mr. Romney was the only Republican Senator who voted to convict Pres. Trump in the former president’s first impeachment trial.
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