Mitt Romney blasts GOP Reps' appearance at white nationalist event

Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney is among the GOP lawmakers who are usually unafraid to criticize the actions of members of their own party. Romney did not mince words when he sharply criticized the appearance of two Republican members of Congress at a white nationalist convention.

In an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union,” host Dana Bash pressed Romney on GOP Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar’s attendance at a white nationalist event. Bash also quoted Rep. Liz Cheney’s statement, which condemned the event. Romney agreed with Cheney’s statement, also citing RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel’s statement regarding the event, saying that no political party should tolerate white nationalism or racism.

“As you’ve indicated, speaking of evil, it’s evil as well,” said the Utah lawmaker. “Marjorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar…I don’t know them. I’m reminded of the old line from the Butch Cassidy movie where one character says, ‘Morons, I have morons on my team.’ I think anybody who would sit down with white nationalists at their conference is certainly missing a few IQ points.”

Romney also broke with many of his Republican colleagues who have openly praised Russian dictator Vladimir Putin as Russia carried out an invasion into Ukraine last week. Many right-wing figures, especially those who are staunch supporters of Donald Trump, have openly praised Putin while criticizing President Joe Biden.

The Utah Republican, who is also on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, was also pressed on the sanctions that Biden has imposed on Russia and Putin so far. Romney said that the Biden administration should continue to impose more sanctions.

Romney, who previously said during his presidential bid in 2012 that Russia is the US’ biggest “geopolitical foe,” said that the world should continue to condemn Russia for its attempt to seize control of Ukraine.

“At the same time, recognize that for the sanctions to be most effective, you want them to be shared with our allies around the world. We want to all be together on this. So we can only go as fast as everybody wants to move together. So that’s critical. But those sanctions will have an impact.”