From New York Times. I'm likeable borrow this today. President Donald Trump is acquitted of booze articles of impeachment. Just one Senator Cross Party lies to vote to convict him. A conversation with me about That decision it's Thursday February sixth mortal tell me about these conversations that you ve been having with Senator Mitt Romney Mitt Romney, has always fascinated me is kind of a wild card in his political life. As a

governor of Massachusetts. As a quote, severely conservative central candidate in twenty twelve, then as a critic of Donald Trump, when Donald Trump took over the party, then is a potential Donald Trump Cabinet member when he talked to him about being Secretary of State in twenty. Sixteen, then, as a Senate ended someone who, I wouldn't say, embrace Donald Trump, someone who certainly didn't push him away and then they senator someone who has been fair the unshod times about defying Donald Trump being critical of right. Somebody who is seen as any logic gleam somebody scene is inconsistent correct and in this impeachment proceeding He has been the ultimate wildcard. No one knew what he was gonna do really people had ideas back and forth, but never know you're gonna get with Mitt Romney, so I been asking his office, and I am certainly not the only reporter who had been asking

I could hang around with him a little, but whether I could actually go through this process with him, which I figured was a bit of a longshot because he's been in such demand and, to my surprise, last week like right as we are leading up to the big vote on witnesses. Mitt Romney agree. Sit down with me. We went up to his hideaway office, which is like office outside a remote offers. Every senator gets one I heard you were taken and MID. Romney's was filled with an empty. I got an answer is using. This was like a little break in the proceedings, so we can have a lot of time filtered by the road, and I was amazed at how open he was about the kinds of things he was thinking about it.

Our senior citizens did sitting there. You said there now what we gotta have. There has been a catalan models that are covered by a couple of raspberry, always a mandate to do the experience of sitting in, the chamber listen to this day in and day out, intention at a burden at all, does it make it seem wait here doesn't make it seem less wady. What what's have been like free available? most weighty having the chief justice the first time, and I think there was a a sense of how important this is and how historic it is we have to do with the veal is right in the case but I think we also to think more broadly to what are the implications nationally and what the implications for the institution of the Senate but the presidency had the presidency both meet certain put aside of computer, what about just the nature of right and wrong like what a chief executive of this kind We should do me. Doesn't that trial to some degree

the other give. If there were present there really was gonna, be removed underlay. I'm a misdemeanor standard here He would have done something wrong by definition. That would help, but by and large most men right and wrong associate with president argued determined by the electorate, coming election impeachment is not to judge right and wrong alone it rejects right in what long? In a context of has there been a high climate misdemeanour, and one of the last things he brought up to me was essential. Obligation. He fell to the United States constitution. This is it the crucial issue. I feel a sense of deepest positively to abide by the constitution and to determine absent. The poles from the right of the personal left here? What is right thing to do now? What is the constitution? A man, though it was very

clear that this was weighing on him, he's how you get your boy and I got a shrewd out of his office and he had to go back to the floor to continue the trial without see you go this way this work were walking out. He goes back to the floor. I took a right turn in the hallway and there was aiming club a shower. Who was back in Washington for about thirty six hours to do her impeachment stuff, taking a break from her presidential campaign, and I said senator, can I ask you a few questions. We Mitt Romney, have you thought of this role here out of a fellow centre not send for someone who is a bit of a wild pardon, is a Mitt Romney sort of stopped her in her tracks a little bit. Yes,

that's a good question, so I hope he plays that leadership role that I think John Mccain would have played if he was here right, thought like every our about Senator Mccain was here and Is this is sort of a prompt to talk about John Mccain, the in important role. John Mccain be Maverick played in the United States Senate as someone who could recruit other, potentially dissident republicans to his side and propriety counterforce within the private, in force. That is, the Republican Party in the Senate has she's raising the spectre that Mitt Romney be a John Mccain. In this moment I e could block the part the and perhaps even take the Republicans with him in, siding with Democrats impeachment correct, saw him as someone who was genuinely agonizing somewhat. Could be a leader and someone that no one really had a grip on this point

has, he demonstrated at all that he could have that drugs like capability enemies, he's been willing to tell the truth care and about the need to have the witness which I appreciate. It says this moment to shine, and hopefully we can bring some people when I take it. So after my comes there will they be closure left the hill I said to Romney's offers its they loved to keep in touch with him. We did not talk about his ultimate decision. He won't talk about a year. You may they're pretty clear, but also want to get a window into its decision making process and we had about five days till it was going to come to a head. So to my surprise and delight they said, come on back on Wednesday morning, while the day of the day of the decision, the day of the final vote better, not ok, so on Wednesday morning. What happens when you do Wednesday morning? Ten thirty, I went in Two men Romney's office, you up

we have tabled cable, I felt myself getting quite nervous, which is interesting because I I almost always through to know what you're gonna get in view. I did didn't. I was gonna go. This was a real jump, all the Cardinal Elkhart. It was a wild card. You could call it everyone, but I didn't know how this we're gonna go. He looked exactly like. He always looks, which is for the a daisy he hadn't been sleeping, but couldn't tell he looked red ago. He didn't look like he was in a mood for any kind of small talk. Wasn't either anyway. So anyone not care about what you have said and I probably Probably I would get right to do that, but you know how you feel about yeah I'm here to vote. Yes on the first article, no and the second, he said that he would vote yes to convict the president on charges of use the power they would vote no on the second impeachment article, which is obstruction of Congress, did not question at present fight for documents and witnesses, but it s all the

use of the law and the house. In my view, have gone to the course that was all by national courts. They make the case and the services are talking? could see the emotion in his face and I could hear him not show up, but Sir Finally, there was a strain and his voice that I had not heard before and the first of all, I think the cases may and I believe that attempting to corrupt and election- to maintain power is about an egregious an assault on the constitution, as can be made. And for that reason it is a high crime misdemeanor, and I have no choice under the oath. I took to express that that conclusion he said. Basically, I think he'd gone back and forth There's an old protestant him. We sing and our church called do what is right, let the consequence follow pretty. I'm sure I'm doing the right thing

I don't know that I can weigh the consequence of this stage, but it's gonna be substantial yeah. This is central. Well, I mean you know, I'm a very religious person and when you swear an oath before God to apply impartial justice. That's what I believe I have to. And by the way, I believe other centres do the same thing. I don't wanna, be anyone voting by catches, but not voting. My conscience, In order for me to have a better political and personal benefit would subject my own conscience, due to its centre. So I just I don't have a choice. Sir this. For me, it is fundamental that my off the God and fundamental to how are countries must work, which is that people have to be. Seen as honest in fulfilling the oath that they take

When did you make this decision? I tried to keep from forming a final decision as I listen to both sides what always procedure and its outcome You were supposed to be swayed one way and, as we see the other I reached a conclusion, after the last day of questions and answers, so bright or Thursday gathers but I can tell you that throughout that, throughout this entire period has not been a morning. I've gotten up after four I am just obviously thinking about, how important this is from the consequences, but then also analyzing, going back and looking at the testimony in the brief said the two sides going? through federalist papers and then applying logic to it? What was it like for you to sit in or stand in some cases in truth, what was a very tribal gathering last night at the state of the union, and that was watching you could have been Galleria down. It was quite a speech,

you knew what you lose. The current you're gonna be swimming up against in twenty four hours or that light I think people are very hard time understanding how you just don't both with the team and how you could make a decision of the significance and less It is doing with the team, and it's like well, then think act to ensure you may about and asked. Did you just go with whether it was a male or female or a black or a wider is back or not hispanic. Or did you try? apply a partial just did you change your of research? That can you take Europe seriously. I agree with most of the things the president has done right the policies you put in with regard to the economy are very close to them. She's a I campaigned on years before I agree with those things. The effect that com doing as well as it is is in part because of those policies. Soap he's got it, take a bow for those policies I eat when I'm with him, so I'm with the bread. By the way, I think it's going to get reelected, I think it burn

Elizabeth is the family and the democratic side. Look like the landslide. I will still for the policies. I agree with our stand, applaud when one He says things that are right, but then he did One thing we know there was a very seriously wrong thing and not to call. Grievously war would be to violate my oath, while they might my conscience, so it made it at centre of history. What kind of consequences do the cure your endure for the unimaginable I dont know Adobe There's some. I know. I'm another big consequence and at I I just have to recognise that it don't you think right and heavier? What was interesting to me- and this is one of the things that doesn't pick up so much on tape- you see as facial expressions we Mitt Romney smooth character was space got red. He had bit of dread and his eyes, it was as if

He knew that a chandelier was about to drop on his head. The reason I witnesses and that was the area that there is greatest within our tax. Was we don't get whereas they dug? The reason I wanted to hear from jumbled? Isn't I hoped beyond measure that he would say something that would provide reasonable doubts. I wouldn't have to vote, we give it so you are looking for reasons not about four hours, by my personal and political. Team affiliation may be very much not want to have to come back to me I mean to be with my colleagues in the Senate. I don't wanna be that the scattered the Garden party, I don't want to have the disdain of of Republicans, the country was lit grocery store up this weekend and in government said trader and every citizen, talk now is in Florida I was not one of ants. This is another person from their cars, I was taking my groceries better, the car yelled from his car.

With a team and so. I recognise, as India hold if level, but the butter. Why do you think Ronnie did this interview. I mean he could have decided to show up and vote to convict the president. I sit down with the New York Times and talk about all the agony and explain himself well one thing: I've always been interested in with Mitt Romney, He has always been none self absorbed way, but he's always been very aware of his own political narrative he has been aware of how he was viewed, maybe as a political opportunism, may be doing things out of expediency rather than principle, and I think ultimately, one of the things that the set of chapter has done for him in his career is it has enabled him to maybe rewrite the end may be recast himself as someone who did feel as if he was doing the right thing at the expense of water.

The expedient decision at the moment. What abandoned does only in that way, I use your your seventies now. This is probably the last job. Maybe It is an important issue like a really take a stand and having an interest. Do the right thing to do, ever think about these decisions in light of other decisions, you have made when you more political, ITALY's you no, I haven't the full analysis to my poor political history that that I will, with with time I am sure, in retirement, by my guess- is that I was influenced in some cases by political benefit, and I regret that and and probably not the extent to which my opponents and tried to earth try to characterize it. But but looking back as there are I'd ever to right. I said I wish I said that differently around

in a different position. Rather, I don't mean brickmaking like just a couple words now take the position that I am as Is often the case I have found in in bed in particular, but also in politics. The something is in your personal best interests ability of the mind to rationalize that. That's the right thing is ready, an extraordinary and I'm talking about myself run and I've seen and others have said it myself in politics- girl an by the way- and you could swear on a bible that you are doing exactly what what is right. But unless because in our mind, has the capacity that in this case, I worked very hard to prevent my purse feelings of my personal desire for influencing the decision. That was gonna be an important decision and difficult decision I never ever make. I think history is important too Mitt Romney it's important him for a lot of reasons when part of it is is ego.

People in the U S, and I want to think that everything they do is actually relevant to history. But I think your Mitt Romney when you lived a lot of history when you ve been enormity of republican Party when you ve run twice for president lost when you ve held a number of offices, things like how you make a decision that will mark you forever are important in the historical context and you can are you to be a cynic and say: oh well, they're just themselves. They care about how history will view them. Who does that, but I actually think it important in an a very kind of formative. Part of the process of coming to this decision from Rome II was started. I was just to talk about on the other. As you leading the office, he's just told you: what is gonna do what are using and well I'm part of. It is just pure straight ahead: opportunistic reporters.

Which is gotta hoping they don't call me and say he changed his mind because you know you gonna go on the floor in a few hours in and shocked the world. I mean not to put too fine a point on it, but this is a view momentous decision. That would be a major headline at the end of a process that people had assumed was over right. I mean it wasn't a major twist, but it was certainly a twist and something that would be remembered, but beyond your own, journalistic me on my own often self absorption. My thought was, I hope he knows what he is in force. I'll, be right, back, this episode of the daily is supported by the new Showtime original series: penny dreadful city of angels. When

gruesome, murder, shocks. Nineteen thirty, eight LOS Angeles detected Tioga again his partner Louis mentioned, or find themselves grappling with nazi spies, crooked politicians and powerful supernatural forces Natalie Dormer Daniels of Otto Nathan, Lane STAR in penny, dreadful city of angels, preparing April twenty six only on Showtime the daily list. You can try Showtime free for thirty days, go to show timed out come now and enter Co. Daily offer expires, may twenty fourth twenty twenty, I'm Wendy Door and I'm an editor on the daily. For me, of my adult life. I thought of the New York Times as giant news machine that spit out news stories all day, long kind of like a vending machine and I'm embarrassed to say that it wasn't really until I came to work here at the times that I started to think about the reporters behind those news stories and what it takes get the story in the first place, Sometimes these reporters risked their lives. Sometimes they talk to us at two in the morning. Sometimes they call us from a war zone and not

We do. They tell us what's happening on the ground wherever they are, but they also give us the context that we need to understand it. If you like ring from these reporters every day, which I know I do. The work, the thing that you can do to support them and the daily is to subscribe to the New York Times. If you like to do that, go to and why times dot com. Slash subscribe somewhat happens after your interview with Romney on Wednesday morning. So Wednesday morning becomes Wednesday afternoon to the private one thousand two hundred and twenty p dot M in Washington, I walked out of the office. I headed back to the near. Is washing bureau and I knew he was scheduled to speak at two o clock and he took them. I ask you, Mr President, The constitution is the foundation of our republic success and, of course, you want actually be watching this cause one. You don't know if we what you just learned, behold whether he changed his mind or not the allegations made in the articles of appeasement.

Our very serious, but everything is how does this lookin when he's actually delivering into the world and one things I was struck by is he looked really nervous. Lot more nervous on the floor, the needed with me. I take it off before as enormously consequential and he got emotion what a couple of points I knew from the outset that being tasked with judging the president, the later on party would be the most difficult decision. I have ever face I was not wrong people will judge us for how well the faithful We fulfil our duty, it took him a while to get through this year. I was watching it, he he was slipping the page, as with all sorts of pregnant, poses, the grave question constitution task senators to answer is whether the committed and act so extreme and egregious then it rises to the level of a high crime and misdemeanor. Yes, he did

we have absolutely yet and I don't think he was doing african dramatic reason. I think it was just a genuinely hard speech to get through and at the end of the speech, It Rummy involved is and his grandchildren. With my vote, I will Tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best mobility. This is so he does fairly regularly, but it also you know, he's playing for keeps here I will only be one name among many no more. No less to future general actions of Americans who look at the record of this trial. We are all footnotes best in the annals of history. But in the most powerful nation on earth and conceived, and liberty and justice that distinction is enough for any citizen, but I think maybe there's some false modesty at work here to me. He's not a footnote user dissenting voice and the Republican Party has not had many of those at all through this process. Thank you,

Mr President, are you the floor and then he walked off into history, so mark after Ronnie Speech, the full Senate for thoroughly convenience majority leader is recognised, assure justice. It is now ready to vote on the articles of impeachment. Becomes accorded impeachment each senator when his or her name is called, will stand in his or her place and vote guilty or not guilty, as required by rule twenty three of the Senate rules on impeachment. So what happens? Section chief justice, John Roberts, because financed actions to the jury or the. U S, Senate the formal article of impeachment read aloud. The question is on the first article of impeachment senators, how say you is the respondent, Donald John Trump guilty or not guilty, and he calls about a roll call. Vote is required. The clerk will call it

all strategy in its tracks. Examiner not guilty. Miss Baldwin, Miss Baldwin guilty must, on the first article in Piedmont, presidential abuse of power. Mr Rummy, Mr Romney guilty Mitt Romney votes guilty. He votes to convict two thirds of the senators present not having pronounced him guilty the Senate, a judges that the respondent Donald, John Trump, president of the United States, is not guilty as charged in the first article of impeachment. On the first article of impeachment abuse of presidential power, the president was acquitted by a final

account of fifty two NOS forty, eight yeses, two thirds of the senators present not having pronounced him guilty the Senate. A judges that respondent Donald, John Trump, president of the United States, is not guilty is charged in the second article of impeachment. On the second article of impeachment, witches obstruction of Congress. Mitt Romney voted to acquit the president, the president was acquitted by fifty three knows and forty seven. Yes without objection. The motion is agree to the Senate sitting. As accorded engagement stands a jerk, cited Guy Enemy and Mitt. Romney was the only you a senator Andy. First senator in U S history, to vote to convict oppressed, of his own party of unimpeachable offence. You can have hinted at this, but there is something really intriguing about choosing this moment from it Romney to take a stand.

His career I covered very closely over twenty campaign, is littered with apples of moment it seemed he wanted on both sides of an issuer he evolved in ways have felt opportunistic. Yet at this, and he becomes a senator of conscience and he's not malleable. But it's a moment were his vote to convict the present on one of two counts: has no who impact whatsoever on the process, and we think back to people are John Mccain as Centre enclosure did he say, for conscience. At moments it had huge consequence was the vote vote unaffordable cared for example, in this case,

Romney is the loan dissenting voice in a case that he can have no influence over? So what do you make of that here is why that's important one Donald Trump has craved some kind of way to say this is just a partisan witch hunt. Every Republican voted to support denies him that opportunity. The other part in the context of Mitt Romney career is again, as you mentioned. This is not something Mitt. Romney has traditionally done could argue the counterfactual if he was up for reelection in Utah next year. Would he vote differently if he was thinking about running for president and going for the republican nomination in twenty twenty? Would he vote differently? I think at this point, he has lived a long career At a long, long life- and he would say at this point that his answering to different forces. Regardless of whether a change is any of the dynamics of this

Congress and the Republican Party, and this presidency I dont, think it'll change any dynamics at all, except Mitt. Romney's life was gonna, get a lot more uncomfortable for reasons that I think he can handle given how he waits decision point what has been the reaction for in the hours Syn He went on the floor, gave speech and then cast a vote to convert the president. I would say quite unpleasant everything. In the present United States, some Don Junior calling for his expulsion from the Senate, while his own needs. Scrotum Romney Mcdaniel, the chair of the Republican National Committee, publicly rebuking basically on Twitter is on his armies. Yes, calls for recall elections in Utah Like that now, this is a window into the kinds of things that are in store for someone who descends from President Trump and maybe His colleagues in the Senate deliberately avoided by not doing what he does. It is a fact that they have voted. To avoid. I mean it's. Obviously there.

Lot of things at work. When you decide to make about like this, but the noise is an absolutely undeniable part of the experience of voting against the interest. The person who led your party Donald Trump Lemur, like you, Michael on Tuesday night President Trump health began attacking Mitt Romney on Twitter, promoting a video calls Romney, slippery and stealthy and with out any evidence, claims that Romney is called a secret asset of the Democratic Party will be right back.

Vanguard was founded on the simple but radically idea that, investment company can succeed because it puts investors First Vanguard. Client own you on their funds and the funds own Vanguard, which means Vanguard, is built to ensure that your interests will be the priority together. Vanguard, thirty million investors are changing the way the world invests, visit, vanguard, dot com or talk to financial adviser to learn more here's what else you need on Wednesday We're Craddock officials in I'll released, more research from Monday's Caucasus, which left the position of the candidates unchanged and the final come of the vote answered with ninety seven percent of the result. It he put it it mean

paint a narrow lead over Bernie Sanders that verged on a tight. Meanwhile, in knew him our job is desperate. The social level of social social socialist. Our party, Cavern do there, but the savages anomaly for reporting every Democrat We have to carry the label. Senator suitors is chosen for himself who move President Joe Biden, who stands at a distance fourth place in I'll attacked both Sanders and Buddha judge as more candidates for the democratic domination. Our great respect for p services nation, but I do believe it's a risk to be just straight. We for this party to nominate somebody was never held office the murder of a sound of a hundred thousand people within the air you believe authoress.

That's it I'm not gonna, buy see them. Vanguard was founded on the simple, but radical idea that, investment company can succeed because it puts investors First Vanguard. Client own you on their funds and the funds own Vanguard, which means Vanguard, is built to ensure that your interests will be the priority together. Vanguard, thirty million investors are changing the way the world invests, visit, vanguard, dot com or talk to financial adviser to learn more.