In Heartfelt Monologue, Colbert Thanks Romney for Political Courage

The Late Show host spoke on the importance of honoring oaths amid Republican cowardice.

Stephen Colbert on Wednesday added his voice to the wave of praise for Mitt Romney, the sole Republican senator to vote to convict President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial. Romney’s decision, which made him the first senator in US history to vote to remove a president of their own party from office, came as an act of rare political courage, one that clearly shocked and angered a White House hoping to declare the impeachment trial nothing more than a partisan witchhunt.

“Hearing Mitt Romney take his oath to God seriously was like finding water in the desert,” the Late Show host said in a moving monologue. “Because we know Republicans are lying when they say that Trump didn’t do anything wrong or maybe he did but shouldn’t be removed.” 

He continued: “Now, oaths may not mean a lot to some people. But here’s what it’s about: When you take an oath, you can’t think one thing and say another. You are asking God to witness, on the pain of your immortal soul, that what you whisper in your heart is what comes out of your mouth—though most of these guys are talking out of their ass.”

Colbert ended by thanking the Utah senator for his honesty and “for serving the Constitution rather than that monstrous child in the White House.”

“Why can’t he be president? Thanks, Obama.”

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This investigative reporting takes time too. Months of research. Weeks of writing, editing, and fact checking—and putting together the photography, art, video, and audio that tell the stories in a new way, illuminating new perspectives and voices.

We can afford to take our time because we don’t report to oligarchs or corporations. We report to you, and for you.

And the stakes are high. Democracy is on the defense. We’ve been exposing corruption and scandal for five decades, and this is a pivotal moment in our country’s history. Will democracy prevail? We won’t wait for time to tell—independent journalism is essential for democracy, and we’ll keep doing our part to amplify the free press.

So, we’re asking: Will you join the fight? Mother Jones has been here for 50 years, and we need your support to fuel the future of investigative journalism. Mark our 50th anniversary with a gift of any amount.

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