Utah Senator Mitt Romney announced Wednesday he will vote 'yes' on one of the impeachment articles to convict President Donald Trump. Citing his faith and oath to God, Romney said Trump's actions in pressuring Ukraine and withholding military aid amounted to high crimes and misdemeanors.
"Yes, they did," Romney said in a speech Wednesday from the Senate floor.
"I believe that attempting to corrupt an election to maintain power is about as egregious an assault on the Constitution as can be made,” Romney said, explaining his decision. "And for that reason, it is a high crime and misdemeanor, and I have no choice under the oath that I took but to express that conclusion."
Romney is the first Republican to come out in favor of removing Trump for his attempt to pressure the Ukrainian government to investigate former vice president Joe Biden and his son Hunter. The Utah senator said he will vote 'Yes' on the first article of impeachment on abuse of power, however, he will vote 'no' on the second article - obstruction of Congress.
"What he did was not perfect. No, it was a flagrant assault on our electoral rights, our national security and our fundamental values," Romney said. "Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one’s oath of office that I can imagine."
Despite the Utah senator's vote, the full Senate is expected to acquit Trump of the two impeachment articles that were passed by the House in December.
"I recognize there is going to be enormous consequences for having reached this conclusion,” Romney added.
The senate is expected to hold a vote at 4 pm ET.
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