For the GOP, it's open season on Mitt Romney.

The 2012 Republican presidential nominee and current Utah senator is loudly critical of President Trump and his agenda. Romney was wary of the president from the start, but his skepticism has seemingly morphed into outright opposition.

Now that the prospect of impeachment looms, Romney is doing his part to take the matter seriously. As expected, this approach has made him even more of a political pariah during a time when unflinching loyalty to Trump is almost a requirement for congressional Republicans. Once conservative, now Trumpian groups such as the Club For Growth call him a "Democratic secret asset" for not completely discounting the idea of impeachment. But Romney's nonpartisan approach to the matter deserves praise.

As reported in the Atlantic:

These confrontations have turned Romney into one of the most closely watched figures in the impeachment battle now consuming Washington. While his fellow Republicans rail against ‘partisan witch hunts’ and ‘fake whistle-blowers,’ Romney is taking the prospect of a Senate trial seriously—he’s reviewing The Federalist Papers, brushing up on parliamentary procedure, and staying open to the idea that the president may need to be evicted from the Oval Office.

Too many politicians on both sides of the aisle are approaching impeachment with their minds already made up. The majority of Senate Democrats are likely already certain that impeachment is the correct route, despite the fact that the articles of impeachment aren’t even passed in the House yet. Conversely, the majority of Senate Republicans have undoubtedly already concluded that this is yet another partisan attempt to damage a polarizing president.

This is neither fair to the president nor the process. Because impeachment and possible removal are such powerful actions in a fragile political ecosystem, impartiality is a must. Here, Romney leads the way.

Perhaps it is Romney's unhindered political future that has spurred him to be more vocal. He will never again be a presidential candidate. As a senator, he can make a serious impact on his party and Congress as a whole. With few — if any — reelection fears ahead of him, toeing the line behind his fellow Republicans seems to be the last thing on Romney's mind.

Of course, that impeachment is being seriously considered in no way means that Trump should be or will be convicted. Politicians of both parties must set aside their own desires and focus on where the facts lead, as personal preference should never enter the picture. Though the president demands loyalty from members of the GOP, blind allegiance should be the furthest thing from anyone's mind when it comes to impeachment. Just as convicting the president based on partisan grievances is wrong, so too is dismissing legitimate concerns because of party affiliation.

The country is already deeply divided by the mere possibility of impeachment and what it means for the future. That Romney appears to be deliberately unbiased in the lead-up to the potential impeachment circus is a good thing. He deserves commendation, not condemnation, from his colleagues of all political stripes.

Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner's Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.