Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Ut.) on Sunday came out in opposition to the House GOP-led impeachment inquiry into President Biden — while blasting first son Hunter Biden’s behavior and ripping him as an “unsavory person.”
Romney, who voted to convict then-President Donald Trump during both of his impeachments, argued that there isn’t evidence to go after Joe Biden.
“I think before you begin that impeachment inquiry, you ought to have some evidence — some inclination that there’s been wrongdoing,” Romney said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“If I was in the House, I’d vote against it, unless they were able to bring forward evidence that suggests that there were a high crime or misdemeanor that had been committed, but so far, that hasn’t been the case,” Romney said.
The Utah senator, who announced he won’t see reelection in 2024, contended that Hunter’s conduct isn’t enough to go after the president.
“Fortunately, for most people, we’re not responsible for the misdeeds of our kids and grandkids,” Romney said. “We’re not going to impeach somebody because of the sins of their kids.”
House Republicans opened the inquiry into the president back in September under then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.)
That probe was not formally authorized via a House floor vote, but Republicans have signaled their intention of making the inquiry official soon.
Due to the lack of a floor vote, the White House has panned the probe as “unconstitutional.”
Meanwhile, the three-committee inquiry has slapped key players, such as the president’s brother James Biden and son Hunter Biden, with subpoenas.
James Biden missed the deadline for testimony last week.
Republicans have demanded Hunter Biden appear this Wednesday and have threatened to hold him in contempt if he does not.
The first son’s lawyer offered to make a public appearance, but Republicans slapped down that offer, pushing for a closed-doors hearing.
Romney also broke from former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), who has opined that Trump, 77, would refuse to leave office should he be granted a second term in 2024.
“I don’t think Donald Trump would want to stay in longer than four years. And the reason I say that is because I think he’s running for retribution,” Romney said.
During a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) earlier this year, Trump vowed to be “retribution” for his disciples.
“I think he will finish his retribution after four years if he’s elected. I don’t think he particularly likes being around the White House. I think he’d rather be back at Mar-a-Lago,” Romney said.
“He wants to show that he’s not a loser, he won. And he wants to go after the people who are tough on him.”
The senator and former 2012 GOP presidential candidate, cautioned against taking Trump’s words too seriously, likening him to a “human gumball machine.”
“A thought or a notion comes in and it comes out of his mouth. There’s not a lot of filter that goes on,” Romney said. “He just says whatever. I don’t attach an enormous amount of impact to the particular words that come out.”
Romney also weighed in on the 2024 GOP contest, re-upping his opposition to Trump, but fretted that endorsing someone would be the “kiss of death.”
“I think Donald Trump recognized if he went through the debate with Chris Christie, Chris Christie would reveal him for what he was,” Romney said.
Trump skipped all four GOP primary debates thus far, citing his colossal lead every poll.
“Nikki Haley, she’s rising right now. I think she’s the only one that has a shot becoming the nominee other than President Trump— it’s a long shot in her part,” he added.
Romney teased that after retiring from the Senate at the end of his term in early 2025, he may go work on helping his wife Ann’s efforts on backing neurologic research.
Ann Romney suffers from multiple sclerosis, which impairs the nervous system’s ability to send certain signals causing ailments such as vision issues and muscle pains.
“Life is so fantastic. It’s so wonderful being alive. And I don’t worry about my next chapter,” the senator added.