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Romney Blasts Idea of Trump Pardoning Navy SEAL Accused of Stabbing Wounded ISIS Fighter

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Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, is not happy about the possibility that President Donald Trump may pardon a Navy SEAL accused of war crimes.

“I think it’s a terrible idea to pardon someone who is legitimately convicted of committing war crimes,” Romney told the HuffPost on Tuesday. “It’s unthinkable.”

The New York times reported that, over the weekend, the White House requested the necessary paperwork to pardon Navy SEAL Chief Edward “Eddie” Gallagher, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of firing on civilians in 2017 and fatally stabbing an already wounded ISIS fighter. He was turned in by his fellow SEALs.

Despite the recent firestorm over the idea of pardoning Gallagher before the trial is over, his case has found some defense in conservative media.

“He could be guilty of the crimes of which he has been accused,” writes Marine combat veteran and conservative commentator Jesse Kelly in a piece pointing out that most people have no idea the kind of strain special operations warfare puts on human beings. “He could be completely innocent. I was not there. You were not there. We do not know. Given the absence of any physical evidence, and the fact that the ‘witnesses’ are now clamming up and now refuse to talk, the charges against him appear flaky at best.”

Kelly also added that the current debate about Gallagher’s case has more to do with politics than with justice: “Make no mistake about it, the newfound interest you see in painting Eddie Gallagher as some sort of bloodthirsty war criminal has precious little to do with what Gallagher did or didn’t do. This is now about Trump.”

More recently, Rep. Dan Crenshaw, R-Texas, a former Navy SEAL who lost one of his eyes in combat, said that Gallagher should face trial before being considered for a pardon: “These cases should be decided by the courts, where the entirety of the evidence can be viewed. Only after that should a pardon be considered.”

Gallagher’s trial is scheduled to begin next week, but the NYT story reported that a military official said that “all files would have to be complete before Memorial Day weekend, because the President planned to pardon the men then.” (For more from the author of “Romney Blasts Idea of Trump Pardoning Navy SEAL Accused of Stabbing Wounded ISIS Fighter” please click HERE)

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RINO Romney Calls GOP Rep. Justin Amash’s Support Trump’s Impeachment “Courageous”; Trump Calls Amash A “Loser”

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By Fox News. Rep. Justin Amash, R-Mich., became the first Republican to publicly accuse Trump of engaging in “impeachable conduct” stemming from Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election – earning the little-known congressman praise from Democrats, derision from Republican leadership in the House, and a mixed response from other lawmakers. . .

One member of Congress who was not a fan of Amash’s comments on impeachment was House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., who claimed that his colleague was just seeking attention when he made his comment.

“This is exactly what he wants, he wants to have attention,” McCarthy said on “Sunday Morning Futures.” “You’ve got to understand Justin Amash. He’s been in Congress quite some time. I think he’s asked one question in all the committees that he’s been in. He votes more with Nancy Pelosi than he ever votes with me. It’s a question whether he’s even in our Republican conference as a whole.”

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, offered a more nuanced appraisal of Amash’s comment, saying on Sunday that he thinks the congressman was “courageous” for speaking against party line . . . (Read more from “RINO Romney Calls GOP Rep. Justin Amash’s Support Trump’s Impeachment “Courageous”; Trump Calls Amash A “Loser” HERE)

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Trump Calls Representative Justin Amash a ‘Loser’ over Impeachment Talk

By The New York Times. President Trump attacked Representative Justin Amash as a “total lightweight” and “loser” on Sunday, a day after the Michigan Republican said Mr. Trump’s behavior as president had reached the “threshold for impeachment.” . . .

“Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy,” Mr. Trump wrote in a midmorning Twitter riff that included, among other things, criticism of the “Fake News Sunday Political Shows” and boasts about his judicial appointments and health care policies.

“Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!” he added. (Read more from “Trump Calls Representative Justin Amash a ‘Loser’ over Impeachment Talk” HERE)

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Romney Casts Lone GOP Vote Against Trump Judicial Pick – Here’s Why

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On Tuesday, the Senate voted to confirm Michael J. Truncale of Texas as the United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas by a vote of 49-46.

The vote was mostly along party lines in the upper chamber, with Sens. Cassidy, R-La., Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Hirono, D-Hawaii, Kennedy, R-La., Rounds, R-S.D., not voting; there was, however, one party defection, as Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, voted with Democrats against the nominee.

For Romney, it wasn’t a matter of jurisprudence or legal qualifications, but remarks made about former Democratic President Obama Truncale made in 2011, calling him an “un-American imposter.”

In a written response to questions from Senate Judiciary Committee Member Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., Truncale said that the comments were some of many made while in previous “capacities as a candidate for the United States Congress or as a political commentator” and that such opinions would be inappropriate for a judge to express.

Back in 2011, Truncale threw his hat into the political ring and ran for Congress in a crowded field to replace the outgoing congressman and then-Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul.

“I will note that it is possible, however,” Truncale later added in his response to Feinstein, “that I was merely expressing frustration by what I perceived as a lack of overt patriotism on behalf of President Obama.”

However, that explanation just didn’t cut it for Romney, who told Politico after the vote that he voted against Truncale in defense of Obama, citing his own 2012 presidential run against the Chicago Democrat.

“He made particularly disparaging comments about President Obama. And as the Republican nominee for president, I just couldn’t subscribe to that in a federal judge,” Romney told the outlet. “This was not a matter of qualifications or politics; this was something specifically to that issue as a former nominee of our party.” (For more from the author of “Romney Casts Lone GOP Vote Against Trump Judicial Pick – Here’s Why” HERE)

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Trump Fires Back at Romney, and He Included a Video

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President Donald Trump fired back at Mitt Romney Saturday after the Utah senator released a statement on Friday sharply criticizing the president’s actions as described in the Mueller report.

“If @MittRomney spent the same energy fighting Barack Obama as he does fighting Donald Trump, he could have won the race (maybe)!” Trump tweeted with a short video that juxtaposed footage of his own 2016 electoral victory over Hillary Clinton with Romney’s 2012 loss to President Barack Obama. . .

“I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the President,” [Romney] wrote. “I am also appalled that, among other things, fellow citizens working in a campaign for president welcomed help from Russia — including information that had been illegally obtained; that none of them acted to inform American law enforcement; and that the campaign chairman was actively promoting Russian interests in Ukraine. Reading the report is a sobering revelation of how far we have strayed from the aspirations and principles of the founders.” (Read more from “Trump Fires Back at Romney, and He Included a Video” HERE)

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‘Sickened’ Romney Attacks President Trump Over Mueller Report

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Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) on Friday declared he is “sickened” by the conduct of President Donald Trump and his aides as described in special counsel Robert Mueller’s report. . .

Romney’s blistering criticism following the Mueller report’s release Thursday morning by the Department of Justice. The special counsel specified his team did not find any evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump campaign and the Russian government during the 2016 election. . .

The special counsel’s findings detailed how Trump campaign members heard in advance about a WikiLeaks release of emails that Russian intelligence obtained from the Democratic National Committee and Hillary Clinton’s campaign chairman John Podesta. The report states that while investigators found communications between Trump campaign aides and Russians, “the investigation did not establish that the Trump campaign coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.”

Further, Romney said he was “appalled” that Trump campaign members were open to receiving aid from the Russian government. “I am appalled that, among other things, fellow citizens working in a campaign for president welcomed help from Russia—including information that had been illegally obtained; that none of them acted to inform American law enforcement,” he said. (Read more from “Romney Attacks President Trump Over Mueller Report” HERE)

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It’s War: Rand Paul Hits ‘Big Government’ Romney, Calls Trump an ‘Actual Conservative’

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Washington is already taking sides in the battle between President Trump and incoming Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, with Trump ally Sen. Rand Paul slamming the 2012 GOP presidential nominee.

Paul, R-Ky., tweeted that Romney is a “Big Government Republican” and a faux conservative, and a top Paul aide said that Trump is delivering on his promises.

In reacting to Romney’s attack in the Washington Post on Trump, Paul also made clear that he does not think Romney, who is still to be sworn in as a new senator, has any affinity for former President Ronald Reagan. . .

In an afternoon conference call with reporters, Paul said that Romney’s personal attack was “virtue signaling” and a “minority position” among Republicans in the Senate. “I think this is going to be an anomaly,” he added. . .

Sergio Gor, Paul’s deputy chief of staff, told Secrets, “Sen. Rand Paul considers President Trump a friend, but beyond that, he is thrilled with his conservative policies, which have included historic tax cuts, massive regulation cuts, the appointment of constitutional jurists, and implementing an ‘America First’ foreign policy by focusing on America and not every problem around the world. This president is delivering on his promises, and moderate Republicans should work with him to fulfill even more.” (Read more from “It’s War: Rand Paul Hits ‘Big Government’ Romney, Calls Trump an ‘Actual Conservative'” HERE)

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Mitt Romney Writes Op-Ed to Attack Trump

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. . .The article, titled “The president shapes the public character of the nation. Trump’s character falls short,” was published on Tuesday, just two days before Romney assumes office as Utah’s junior Senator. In the piece, Romney argues that while he doesn’t take issue with “all of the president’s policies,” his conduct “has not risen to the mantle of the office.”

Romney made his initial diagnosis after citing several early appointments that gave him hope — such as that of Rex Tillerson, Nikki Haley, and John Kelly — followed by recent key resignations and Trump’s proposed Syria withdrawal. . .

The Senator-elect listed several things the president has gotten “right,” but then argued that those things are only a part of the picture.

It is not that all of the president’s policies have been misguided. He was right to align U.S. corporate taxes with those of global competitors, to strip out excessive regulations, to crack down on China’s unfair trade practices, to reform criminal justice and to appoint conservative judges. These are policies mainstream Republicans have promoted for years. But policies and appointments are only a part of a presidency.

To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation. A president should unite us and inspire us to follow “our better angels.” A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect. As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring.

(Read more from “Mitt Romney Writes Op-Ed to Attack Trump” HERE)

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Romney Making Campaign Stop in Arizona for GOP Candidate

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Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will make a rare campaign appearance in Mesa, Ariz., on Thursday in support of another former GOP nominee, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Romney, who lost to President Obama in 2012, will try to help McCain win a sixth term in the Senate.

The GOP’s 2008 presidential nominee is being opposed by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz.

A recent Monmouth University poll found McCain leading Kirkpatrick by 10 points.

The poll showed McCain with 50 percent support against 40 percent for Kirkpatrick and 4 percent for Green Party candidate Gary Swing.

“McCain is sitting on a decent lead, but it’s worth noting that he has won all five of his previous Senate races by more than 20 points,” said Patrick Murray, director of the independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.

The poll showed McCain leads Kirkpatrick 56 percent to 34 percent among white voters, but trails her 53 percent to 39 percent among non-white voters.

Despite the fact that the senator has kept his distance from GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, the Monmouth poll found Trump supporters favoring McCain with 79 percent to 9 percent for Kirkpatrick. Supporters of Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton favor Kirkpatrick, 77 percent to 19 percent.

The poll also noted that 53 percent of respondents approve of the job McCain has done in Washington, while 39 percent disapprove.

The most recent YouGov/CBS News poll showed McCain leading Kirkpatrick 43 percent to 38 percent, with 11 percent of the voters undecided and 8 percent preferring another candidate.

Romney, who has largely avoided the campaign trail this year after his much-publicized antipathy toward Trump, went to Arizona in December on behalf of McCain.

“John McCain has been a strong leader in the United States Senate and a dedicated representative for the state of Arizona, making important contributions to our service members, veterans and families,” Romney said at the time.

“John’s deep knowledge of national security issues and experience helping American veterans is unmatched. We need advocates like John to fight against President Obama’s failed policies and get this country back on track,” he said then. (For more from the author of “Romney Making Campaign Stop in Arizona for GOP Candidate” please click HERE)

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Romney Makes Official Announcement About Third-Party Candidacy to Take on Trump

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Mitt Romney, excoriated for months by Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump as a failed candidate for the way in which he conducted his 2012 GOP campaign for president, attacked Trump again Friday but said he will not enter this year’s race as a third-party candidate to take on the billionaire.

Romney, who energized the party’s #NeverTrump movement in March by lambasting Trump’s policies and character, also indicated he would never vote for Trump for president and said he was looking with interest at the platform of Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson.

Romney was interviewed Friday by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer.

“I think you’re not going to find a credible candidate actually running as a third-party contender,” Romney said. “I’d like to see someone run, but that’s not likely.”

Romney said he would not be the one to oppose Trump, but spoke wistfully of battling the presumptive GOP nominee.

“I thought it was time for someone new. I’m glad I wasn’t out there with Donald Trump,” he said. “Had I been in the race, I can assure you I would have taken him on. I’m sure he believes he would have been successful pushing me aside just like he did others in part because I would have been seen as an establishment Republican.”

Romney continued his assault on Trump’s character, labeling Trump as a “dangerous” president who is “too great a departure from the values of our country.”

“Presidents have an impact on the nature of our nation, and trickle-down racism, trickle-down bigotry, trickle-down misogyny, all these things are extremely dangerous to the heart and character of America,” he said.

When asked if Trump was a racist, Romney said that Trump’s comments “appeal to the racist tendency that exists in some people, and I think that’s very dangerous.” (For more from the author of “Romney Makes Official Announcement About Third-Party Candidacy to Take on Trump” please click HERE)

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Mitt Romney Explains His Reasons for Opposing Donald Trump for President

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Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has been relentless in his attacks on the integrity of Donald Trump.

A article in Politico quotes Romney saying, “I know that some people are offended that someone who lost and is the former nominee continues to speak, but that’s how I can sleep at night.”

The former Republican nominee went on to relay a conversation he had with his son, where he was asked, “When the grandkids ask ‘What did you do to stop Donald Trump?’ what are you going to say?’”

Despite his opposition to Trump, Romney has confirmed he will not run for president as a third-party candidate. “I made it clear I’m not running,” he said.

He also stated he will not vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton in the November general election.

According to an NBC news article from March, Romney, speaking on Meet The Press, called Trump “anything but presidential.” He vowed he would vote; however, his vote would be cast for a candidate who he believes is a real conservative and someone people can be proud of, adding, “and I may write in a name if I can’t find such a person.”

In a speech Romney delivered to a crowd at the University of Utah, he said, “Let me put it plainly, if we Republicans choose Donald Trump as our nominee, the prospects for a safe and prosperous future are greatly diminished.

“First, the economy: If Donald Trump’s plans were ever implemented, the country would sink into a prolonged recession,” he said. Romney pointed Trumps plan to impose a 35 percent tariff-like penalty which he says would only serve to instigate trade wars, increase consumer prices and kill export jobs.

Romney reminded the listeners of some of Trump’s failed business ideas, such as Trump Airlines, Trump University and Trump Magazine, to name a few. “A business genius, he is not,” he said. (For more from the author of “Mitt Romney Explains His Reasons for Opposing Donald Trump for President” please click HERE)

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