MITT Romney has won this year’s John F Kennedy Profile in Courage Award after he voted to impeach Trump.
Romney was the only Republican Senator who voted to convict Trump in both impeachment trials and “risked his career for the country.”
He wrote on Twitter: “I’m humbled by the Kennedy family’s recognition today.
“But I see courage every week from my colleagues in the Senate, many of whom make tough decisions to do what they believe is right even though it may be politically unpopular.
The Profile in Courage Award is awarded to one public figure a year, who risks their career by taking unpopular positions for the greater good.
Romney, 74, is the first Senator to have ever voted to convict a President of his own party.
Former Ambassador Caroline Kennedy told NBC News: “He was willing to risk his career and his popularity within his own party to do what’s right for our country and to follow his conscience and Constitution and his impeachment votes.
“I think his courage is an example for all of us.”
She and her son, Jack Schlossberg, will present the award to Romney in May 2021 during a virtual ceremony.
Romney said: “I’m very appreciative of the honor, but also humbled by it.
“I sleep well because I know that I did what my conscience told me was the right thing to do.
“We swore a diff oath when the impeachment trial began.
“We swore, under God, that we would apply impartial justice. I took that very, very seriously.
“I listened to the various testimonies that were provided, I looked into it with some depth … and I felt that that was a severe enough violation of his oath of office to require a guilty verdict.”
He went on to tell the ‘Today Show’ that there was some irony” in him receiving the award.
Romney explained that he had run for office against JFK’s brother Ted in 1994 – and lost the race.
He said: “We became very good friends as time went on and actually collaborated together on a piece of legislation to provide health care to all the citizens of our state.
“I think common ground is the best way to unify the country.
“I’m afraid if the president of either party instead just follows the demands of the most aggressive wing in his party, you may have that wing satisfied, but the nation has become more divided.
“You’ve got to find common ground and work with people in both parties and get answers to issues that are bipartisan.”
Romney had been accused of being a “deep state” agent in a proposed censure motion by Republicans back in Feburary after voting to impeach Donald Trump.
The motion claimed that Romney failed to “represent the average conservative Utah Republican voter,” the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
It added that he “misrepresented himself as a Republican” when he ran for office.
But he does believe Donald Trump would win the GOP nomination for 2024 “by a landslide” – but said he won’t vote for him.
The Utah Republican said of the former president: “I don’t know if he’ll run in 2024 or not, but if he does, I’m pretty sure he will win the [GOP] nomination.”
