In a recent interview, Utah GOP Sen. Mitt Romney expressed his belief that if he were President Joe Biden, he would have immediately pardoned former President Donald Trump. Romney stated that by pardoning Trump, he would have positioned himself as the bigger person and Trump as the smaller person. Trump currently faces 88 charges across four criminal indictments in various states, including federal cases prosecuted by Special Counsel Jack Smith. Romney disagreed with Biden’s handling of the federal cases but also criticized Trump’s attacks on the courts and Republicans who are seeking favor with the former president during his hush money trial in Manhattan.
Despite pleading not guilty to all charges, Trump has made unfounded claims that the Justice Department is being used against him for political purposes related to the 2024 presidential election. He has also criticized the judges overseeing his cases, raising security concerns due to threats some have received. Romney emphasized the importance of respecting the legal system and expressed his disappointment in those attacking it. He particularly called out politicians attempting to gain favor with Trump by standing outside of the Manhattan criminal courthouse wearing red ties in a bid to be considered as his running mate.
Romney has a history of being critical of Trump and his Republican colleagues’ loyalty to the former president. He voted to remove Trump from office during his first impeachment trial and later voted to convict him of inciting an insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6. Romney did not vote for Trump in the 2020 election and has stated that he will not vote for him in 2024. As the Republican Party nominee in the 2012 presidential race, Romney lost to Democratic incumbent Barack Obama. He is known for being willing to challenge his own party in the Senate but announced last year that he would not seek reelection to his seat.
Allies of Trump, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance, have shown their support for the former president by attending his trials. Other politicians, such as Florida Reps. Byron Donalds and Cory Mills, have also defended Trump by criticizing those involved in his hush money trial. Trump’s inability to speak publicly about the case due to a gag order issued by the judge has not deterred these supporters from coming to his defense. Romney’s continued criticism of Trump and his colleagues’ loyalty highlights the divide within the Republican Party over the former president’s actions and the impact they have on the party’s future.
