Skip to main content
Tags: Trump | Impeachment | Romney | Utah

Under Siege, Romney Returns to Utah to Explain Impeachment Vote

Under Siege, Romney Returns to Utah to Explain Impeachment Vote
In this image from video, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, speaks on the Senate floor about the impeachment trial against President Donald Trump on Wednesday afternoon. (Senate Television via AP)

Thursday, 06 February 2020 06:18 PM EST

Mitt Romney was back in Utah Thursday explaining his vote to convict President Donald Trump amid pushes by some angry GOP state legislators to censure or recall the senator.

Romney did not speak publicly in the state and his meetings with legislative leaders were held behind closed doors.

Many legislators disagreed with his decision on Trump and were concerned about repercussions for the state. Still, some said his quick trip back to Utah from Washington to elaborate on voting his conscience helped ease their frustration with the politician who holds celebrity status in Utah.

“It was a very frank conversation, and people shared their opinions back and forth,” Republican House Speaker Brad Wilson said.

Utah is deeply conservative, but many voters remain wary of Trump’s behavior and his comments about women, immigrants and on other issues.

Trump won the state in 2016, and his move to downsize two sprawling national monuments in the southern part of the state the following year earned him lasting appreciation from many state leaders.

It’s unclear whether the GOP-dominated Legislature will advance censure or recall proposals. But Wilson did say there would be a separate resolution to send a message of appreciation to Trump for “the great work his administration has done.”

Republican Rep. Phil Lyman wants to censure Romney -- the first senator ever to cast a vote to impeach a president of his own party -- but nevertheless said he appreciates that the senator voted his conscience.

Lyman's censure resolution says, "We’re unhappy that you took this position with the president, we think it’s disruptive nationally, we think it harms Utah, and we’ve got some damage control to do as a result of it."

Asked about possible repercussions for Utah over Romney’s vote, Lyman said “relationships are important.”

A separate proposal would create a path to hold a vote on recalling a U.S. senator, and while it's not directed specifically at Romney, interest picked up this week.

Similar laws passed in other states haven’t fared well in the courts, and there’s a good chance any Utah measure would be declared unconstitutional, Republican state Sen. Evan Vickers said.

Some GOP legislators in Utah appeared ready to move on from the dust-up and get back to making state laws.

“I, for one, wouldn’t want to be judged, censured, for one vote I had when he makes 80 percent of his votes to support the president,” said Republican Sen. Don Ipson. “Not everyone would say his vote is wrong.”

© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Politics
Mitt Romney was back in Utah Thursday explaining his vote to convict President Donald Trump amid pushes by some angry GOP state legislators to censure or recall the senator. Romney did not speak publicly in the state and his meetings with legislative leaders were held behind...
Trump, Impeachment, Romney, Utah
413
2020-18-06
Thursday, 06 February 2020 06:18 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved