Utah GOP Releases Statement Supporting Romney’s Vote to Convict and Lee’s Vote to Acquit

The Utah Republican Party released a statement Monday supporting both Utah Senator Mitt Romney’s vote to convict former President Donald Trump and Utah Senator Mike Lee’s vote to acquit during the impeachment trial

“The violence at the US Capitol on January 6 was horrific and inexcusable,” the Utah GOP said in their statement, which was posted on Twitter by Forbes reporter Andrew Solender. “Utah’s United States Senators each experienced those events firsthand, and relived them during the Democratic House Managers’ relentless video-driven impeachment presentation. In the end, each of our senators voted differently.”

“Our senators have both been criticized for their vote. The differences between our own Utah Republicans showcase a diversity of thought, in contrast to the danger of a party fixated on ‘unanimity of thought’,” the statement continued.

“There is power in our differences as a political party, and we look forward to each senator explaining their votes to the people of Utah.”

Republicans in Utah criticized Romney for his vote and circulated a petition calling on the Utah GOP to censure the senator. The petition reportedly claims that Romney “misrepresented himself as a Republican” and “prioritized his personal and political vendetta against President Donald J. Trump ahead of the Constitution of the United States.”