A high Republican senator modified his thoughts and voted to acquit Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, for inciting the U.S. Capitol riot, over security fears for his household, in accordance with a brand new e-book about Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah).
In an excerpt from McKay Coppins’ upcoming “Romney: A Reckoning” printed in The Atlantic, the creator detailed how Republican lawmakers’ considerations over receiving political backlash to opposing Trump morphed right into a” extra existential model of cowardice” following the Jan. 6, 2021 revolt.
Throughout the Senate trial of the then-president, wrote Coppins, an unnamed member of the Republican management informed Romney “he was leaning towards voting to convict” however “the others urged him to rethink.”
“‘You may’t try this,’ Romney recalled somebody saying. ‘Consider your private security, stated one other. Consider your kids.’ The senator finally determined they had been proper,” Coppins added.
A GOP congressman had earlier informed Romney he selected to not vote for Trump’s second impeachment “out of concern of his household’s security.”
“The congressman reasoned that Trump could be impeached by Home Democrats with or with out him—why put his spouse and youngsters in danger if it wouldn’t change the result?” wrote Coppins.
On Wednesday, Romney, a fierce critic of Trump, introduced he wouldn’t be searching for reelection in 2024.
“Frankly, it’s time for a brand new era of leaders,” the 2012 Republican presidential nominee and former governor of Massachusetts stated in a video shared on X. “They’re those that must make the choices that may form the world they are going to be residing in.”
“The following era of leaders should take America to the following stage of world management,” he added.
Romney stated the prospect of Republican 2024 front-runner Trump changing into the celebration’s nominee hadn’t influenced him.
“I believe the individuals of Utah don’t at all times agree with me relating to the posture I took towards Donald Trump, however they respect individuals who vote their conscience,” he informed HuffPost. “I don’t have any query in my thoughts I’d have gained if I’d run once more.”
Learn the complete excerpt on The Atlantic right here.
