Democrats praise Mitt Romney for his stunning vote to remove Trump from office

• Democrats celebrated Republican Sen. Mitt Romney's stunning decision to vote to convict President Donald Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress as his party prepares to acquit him.
• "Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine," Romney said during his Wednesday speech.
• "Voting to convict this president is an act of patriotism," Warren tweeted at Romney. "Thank you for yours."
• David Axelrod, President Barack Obama's former top adviser, tweeted that Romney's father, who served as the governor of Michigan, would be proud of his son.
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Democrats celebrated Republican Sen. Mitt Romney's stunning decision to vote to convict President Donald Trump of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress on Wednesday as his party prepares to acquit him.

"Corrupting an election to keep oneself in office is perhaps the most abusive and destructive violation of one's oath of office that I can imagine," Romney declared in a stinging rebuke of the president that comes with enormous political risks.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat and 2020 frontrunner, thanked Romney for his vote.

"Voting to convict this president is an act of patriotism," she tweeted. "Thank you for yours."

Other senators similarly thanked and celebrated Romney, who was the Republican party's 2012 presidential nominee.

"Senator Romney reminds us that it is not impossible to do the right thing, it's just hard," Sen. Brian Schatz, a Hawaii Democrat, tweeted. "That putting country over party isn't just a slogan, it's our solemn obligation. That individuals who have courage and conviction can change history, and have an obligation to try."

Romney became the first senator in US history to vote to remove a president of his own party.

"I sat silently across the chamber, listening to my friend give one of the most important speeches I have ever had the good fortune to hear in person," Sen. Chris Murphy, a Connecticut Democrat, tweeted. "At a time when many wonder what honor is left in public life, there stands Mitt Romney."

David Axelrod, President Barack Obama's former top adviser, tweeted that Romney's father, who served as the Republican governor of Michigan, would be proud of his son.

"Half a century ago, @MittRomney's dad George earned a reputation as a courageous apostate, taking on his own party over civil rights and extremism. He would be proud of his son today."

Romney acknowledged in his speech that his decision would invite wrath from his GOP colleagues.

"In some quarters I will be vehemently denounced," he said. "I'm sure to hear abuse from the president and his supporters. Does anyone seriously believe that I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me?"

Sonam Sheth and John Haltiwanger contributed to this story.

FULL SPEECH: Sen. Romney says he will vote in favor of the article of impeachment on abuse of power against President Trump.

"With my vote, I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability, believing that my country expected it of me." pic.twitter.com/rOJBR8BJqw

- NBC News (@NBCNews) February 5, 2020