Mitt Romney and others criticize the RNC for censure

SALT LAKE CITY – Mitt Romney tweeted a fiery response after the Republican National Committee made the decision to formally censure both Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming and Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, Friday.

The two were censured for their involvement in the House investigation of the Jan. 6 insurrection. The censure stops short expelling them from the party.

Shame falls on a party that would censure persons of conscience, who seek truth in the face of vitriol. Honor attaches to Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for seeking truth even when doing so comes at great personal cost.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 4, 2022

This decision is the first time the national party has censured any incumbent congressional Republican with the support of its members.

Happening now in Salt Lake City: The Republican National Committee starts the general session of its 2022 Winter Meeting.

“We are going to win back the House and the Senate,” said Republican Party Chair Ronna McDaniel. @KSL5TV @KSLcom @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/uk4qlUlT8X

— Ladd Egan (@laddegan) February 4, 2022

Romney is one of several establishment Republicans that condemned the actions of the RNC.

According to CNN, “The criticism underlines the ongoing intra-party feud between loyalists to former President Donald Trump and some elements of the Republican establishment that continue to push back against his de facto leadership of the party.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana tweeted, “The RNC is censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger because they are trying to find out what happened on January 6th – HUH?”

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a tweet, “The GOP I believe in is the party of freedom and truth. It’s a sad day for my party—and the country—when you’re punished just for expressing your beliefs, standing on principle, and refusing to tell blatant lies.”

The Utah United Party released a statement as well stating that the “Toxic tribalism” leaves moderates in GOP politically homeless.

“The United Utah Party stands against violence and stands with Representatives Cheney and Kinzinger, who should be commended, not condemned,” said United Utah Party Chair Hillary Stirling. “They are increasingly lonely voices of integrity in a Republican Party that has lost its moral compass.”

Stirling said the  GOP seemed “more interested in protecting itself than representing the interests of all its members,” and any Republican who felt they had been left behind, would be welcome in the United Utah Party.

“It would be difficult to overstate the level of disgrace the GOP has brought upon itself with this incomprehensible resolution,” Stirling said. “After the capitol riots, Republican leaders in the House and Senate placed the blame for January 6th squarely on the shoulders of Donald Trump,” Stirling said. They now claim there’s no blame to be had, because the riots were merely ‘legitimate political discourse.’ But ‘legitimate political discourse’ does not involve attacks on police officers, a functional gallows, millions of dollars in damage to public property, or the loss of human life.”

U.S. Senate candidate Becky Edwards condemned the violence of Jan. 6 and any party that silenced discourse.

“Our country is built on a system of free discourse and thoughtful political engagement. Any attempt to stifle that freedom by either party is concerning,” Edwards said. “However, the violence we witnessed on January 6 went beyond discourse and resulted in the deaths of officers and civilians. The dismissal of these acts as anything less than harmful ignores the impact that day will have on our democracy for generations to come.”