Mitt Romney will RETIRE: Republican Senator, 76, says he won’t seek a second term because he’s too old and slams Biden and Trump

Republican senator and 2012 presidential candidate Mitt Romney has made a shock announcement that he will retire rather than seek a second term.

The 76-year-old father of five, who represents Utah, confirmed the stunning decision in a video in which he criticized Donald Trump and Joe Biden and called on the next generation to “step up.”

“Biden is unable to lead on important issues and Trump is unwilling to lead on important issues,” he said in sharp remarks about the state of American politics.

He believes that reaching 80 in a second term means he is too old to do his job effectively, even though many of his colleagues have already reached the milestone.

Romney’s long career in Republican politics includes a defeat by Barack Obama in the 2012 general election. He was also the only member of his party to vote to convict Trump twice of impeachment.

The 76-year-old moderate Republican mentioned his age as he launched a tirade against both Joe Biden and Donald Trump in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter.

“Contrary to many expectations, I am thoroughly enjoying my work in the Senate,” Romney said, citing his work on the bipartisan infrastructure deal, Covid relief funding and voting legislation.

“At the end of another term I would be in my mid-eighties,” he said. ‘Frankly, it is time for a new generation of leaders. They are the ones who have to make the decisions to shape the world they will live in.”

Romney cited looming threats such as “rising national debt, climate change, ambitious authoritarians from Russia and China” as he took aim at both leading presidential candidates.

“Neither President Biden nor President Yrump are leading their party in addressing these issues,” he said.

“On deficits and debt, both men refuse to budge on entitlements, even though they know it represents two-thirds of federal spending. Donald Trump calls global warming a hoax and President Biden comes up with feel-good solutions that make no difference to the global climate.

As for China, President Biden is investing too little in the military and President Trump is investing too little in our alliances. Political motivations too often hinder the solutions these challenges require.”

The senator, whose term ends in January 2025, added: “While I will not be running for re-election, I will not be withdrawing from the fight.”