In a notable shift, Senator Mitt Romney has publicly defended President-elect Donald Trump.
Serving Utah, Romney gave his approval to Trump's Cabinet picks, attributing them to the electoral mandate Trump received, Yahoo News reported.
Senator Mitt Romney, a Republican from Utah, has often critiqued Donald Trump in the past. Yet, he emphasizes that the President-elect's recent Cabinet selections align with the promises made during Trump's campaign, despite Romney's differences with these choices.
During a televised interview on CNN's State of the Union, Romney pointed out the diversity in Trump's choices. The list includes Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary, Pete Hegseth for defense secretary, and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence.
These selections, Romney noted, stem significantly from various backgrounds and perspectives. He acknowledged their unusual nature but affirmed the necessity of Trump's entitlement to select his administrative team.
Despite Romney's retirement from the Senate come January, he underlines the importance of Senate oversight in confirming these nominees. As Republicans maintain Senate control, Trump's picks are likely to be endorsed, facilitating the realization of his administrative agenda.
Mitt Romney expounded on the importance of fulfilling electoral promises. Reflecting the expectations set during the electoral campaign, he highlighted the responsibilities that follow an overwhelming victory.
Here is what Romney expressed about Trump's adherence to campaign promises:
Donald Trump won. He won overwhelmingly. He said what he was going to do, and that’s what he’s doing. I mean, people are saying, ‘oh, I don’t like this appointment or this policy that he’s talking about,' but those are the things he said he was going to do when he ran. So you can’t complain about someone who does what he said he was going to do.
Romney also noted that while he aligns with Trump on many policy issues, there are some disagreements. Nonetheless, he urged giving Trump a chance to act on his campaign commitments to judge their effectiveness.
Trump’s approach to assembling his Cabinet, Romney remarked, recalls a historical precedent where leaders selected a team comprising diverse rivals. This strategy could bring varied insights and robust discussions to the administration.
Romney likened Trump's team selection to a strategy discussed in a popular book about Abraham Lincoln’s leadership, which emphasizes the strength found in diversity within a team’s makeup.
Romney encapsulated his acceptance of the electoral outcome and consequent decisions, remarking on the need to respect the president's choices, which reflect the democratic process. His parting words assert the essence of American electoral democracy — the entrustment of elected officials to fulfill their professed plans, scrutinized by public and legislative review.
