Staff Reports
Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) believes that President Joe Biden missed an opportunity by not pardoning former President Donald Trump. The senator expressed that he would have pardoned Trump immediately, although he has been vocal about his negative opinions of Trump in the past. This move, according to Romney, would have made Biden, himself, and the pardoned individual appear more significant. This assertion highlights Romney’s view that political strategy should sometimes supersede personal opinions.
Republican Senator Mitt Romney argues Joe Biden should have pardoned Donald Trump https://t.co/caVUyoFF9G
— USA TODAY Politics (@usatodayDC) May 16, 2024
Romney pointed out that Biden is unable to pardon Trump in ongoing state cases against him, including one in New York related to alleged hush money payments. The senator suggested that Biden should have intervened to prevent these prosecutions, as it would have been beneficial for Trump. Romney even compared this situation to former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s hypothetical actions, implying a lack of assertiveness on Biden’s part.
Moreover, Romney criticized Trump allies for attacking the legal system and attempting to influence the proceedings outside the courthouse. He emphasized the importance of respecting the legal process and avoiding actions that could undermine it. While acknowledging the unpredictability of how the public might react to Trump’s legal issues post-presidency, Romney highlighted the potential risks associated with Democrats’ eagerness to see Trump face legal consequences before the elections.
In analyzing the potential impact of Trump’s legal troubles on his support base, Romney mentioned conflicting poll results. While some polls suggest a possible decrease in support for Trump if convicted, others indicate that certain segments of the population may actually rally behind him in such a scenario. These contrasting findings raise questions about the Democrats’ strategy regarding Trump’s legal challenges and the potential outcomes leading up to the elections.
