Romney Slams Trump's Character in Op-Ed

Romney will be sworn in as a US senator on Thursday
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 2, 2019 4:11 AM CST
Updated Jan 2, 2019 6:51 AM CST
Romney: Trump Hasn't 'Risen to the Mantle of Office'
This Oct. 9, 2018, photo shows Mitt Romney answering a question about tariffs during the debate with Democratic opponent Jenny Wilson in the America First Event Center in Cedar City, Utah.   (James M. Dobson/The Spectrum via AP, File)

Mitt Romney will be sworn in as a US senator on Thursday—and he makes it clear in a Washington Post op-ed that he has no intention of becoming an unquestioning ally of President Trump. Romney writes that Trump was not his choice to become the GOP nominee for president and while he hoped Trump would rise to the occasion, "his conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office." Romney says that while he agrees with some Trump policies, Trump has failed to unite or inspire the nation as a president should. "With the nation so divided, resentful, and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable," he writes. "And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring." Trump's words and actions, he writes, have caused worldwide dismay.

The Utah Republican promises to work with other senators on priorities including balancing the budget and repairing relationships with allies. "I will act as I would with any president, in or out of my party: I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not," he writes. "I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest, or destructive to democratic institutions." In a tweet, Trump campaign manager Brad Parscale said Romney "lacked the ability to save this nation." "Jealously (sic) is a drink best served warm and Romney just proved it," he wrote. (In 2016, Trump said Romney "choked like a dog" in his 2012 White House bid.)

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