Senator Mitt Romney, soon to be retired, has maintained his critique of President-elect Donald Trump, albeit recognizing his substantial influence within the Republican Party.
Throughout his recent CNN interview, Romney discussed how Trump's charisma has reshaped the Republican Party, Washington Examiner reported.
During an engaging discussion with CNN’s Jake Tapper on "State of the Union," Senator Romney candidly shared his sustained unease concerning President-elect Trump's character, admitting he did not back him in the recent elections. "I’m, as you know, not a supporter of President Trump’s. I didn’t support him in this election. I didn’t the last time he ran either, largely for matters of character," stated Romney.
Despite his reservations, Romney praised Trump's ability to connect with working-class Americans, a demographic historically aligned more with the Democrats. "Look, the Republican Party has become the party of the working-class, middle-class voter, and you’ve got to give Donald Trump credit for having done that, taking that away from the Democrats," he commented.
In his interview, Romney acknowledged the unorthodoxy of Trump's Cabinet choices, describing them as "an unusual collection of individuals, not the people that I would have chosen." However, he accepted that the prerogative to choose his team lies with Trump, emphasizing the Senate's role to ensure these candidates are appropriate and qualified.
Senator Romney has voiced his criticisms of Trump, becoming the sole Republican Senator to vote in favor of finding Trump guilty of abuse of power during his first impeachment trial.
He was also one of seven Republicans who later found Trump guilty of inciting the January 6 insurrection. Regarding the Capitol attack, Romney expressed, "I think the legacy of the January 6 attack will be seen as a very dark day in American history."
Despite his fears over the implications of the January 6 events, Romney remains unconcerned about potential political or legal retribution against him or his family, citing his clean record and principled stance throughout his career.
Looking towards the future, Romney sees Vice President-elect JD Vance as a significant figure within the GOP, predicting he will be the party's nominee in 2028. "If you were to ask me who the nominee will be in 2028, I think it will be JD Vance, all right? He’s smart, well-spoken, part of the MAGA movement," he forecasts.
As he reflects on his outgoing political career, Romney wishes to be remembered for his integrity and patriotism. "I want my family to remember me as someone who stood up for the things I believed, was not embarrassed by my fundamental beliefs, loved the country, and did what I believed was right to help preserve the greatest nation on Earth," he shares.
In conclusion, while Romney criticized Trump, he acknowledges the powerful shift Trump brought to the GOP, attracting working and middle-class voters. Despite personal misgivings, Romney emphasizes the importance of supporting the President-elect and giving him a fair chance for success.
