It’s no secret that some Republicans don’t care for Donald Trump or his policies, but rarely do they express their disapproval in such a public fashion as writing an op-ed slamming the president’s character and behavior.
Mitt Romney will replace outgoing Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch when he is sworn into the Senate on Thursday, and Trump appears to be gaining an outspoken opponent. In an op-ed for The Washington Post, Romney explained why he’s so opposed to the presidency of Trump.
‘The Trump presidency made a deep descent in December. The departures of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, the appointment of senior persons of lesser experience, the abandonment of allies who fight beside us, and the president’s thoughtless claim that America has long been a “sucker” in world affairs all defined his presidency down.’
As he prepares to take office as a US senator, Romney lays down a marker regarding Trump: “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.” https://t.co/nfJhFhvM9v
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) January 2, 2019
Romney cited some of Trump’s policies that he has agreed with – tax cuts, criminal justice reform, the appointment of conservative judges – but said that it’s his character that is hurting the nation.
‘To a great degree, a presidency shapes the public character of the nation. A president should unite us and inspire us to follow “our better angels.” A president should demonstrate the essential qualities of honesty and integrity, and elevate the national discourse with comity and mutual respect. As a nation, we have been blessed with presidents who have called on the greatness of the American spirit. With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring.’
As he prepares to join the senate, @MittRomney draws a clear line with @realDonaldTrump.https://t.co/LlTtUV7UFV
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) January 2, 2019
Romney also noted the standing of the United States with other countries and the lack of trust being placed in the president as a result of his actions. Where America was once seen as a beacon of democracy and a superpower in the world, people now are horrified by the current president in the White House.
‘In a 2016 Pew Research Center poll, 84 percent of people in Germany, Britain, France, Canada and Sweden believed the American president would “do the right thing in world affairs.” One year later, that number had fallen to 16 percent.’
Kudos to Romney for standing up to Trump (even if Romney showed in the 2012 presidential race that doesn't have a clue about the challenges facing average Americans, including the “47 percent” he claimed take no responsibility for themselves).
. https://t.co/9LwIjRrS75— Robert Reich (@RBReich) January 2, 2019
Trump’s embracing of strongmen, dictators, and autocrats is not only weakening America’s position in the world, but it’s also affecting the entire world as a whole. Thanks to Donald Trump, dictators like Kim Jong Un have been given legitimacy and authoritarians like Vladimir Putin are treated better by the U.S. government than allies like Angela Merkel.
‘The world needs American leadership, and it is in America’s interest to provide it. A world led by authoritarian regimes is a world — and an America — with less prosperity, less freedom, less peace.’
Very pleased GOP Senator-elect Mitt Romney is speaking some truth about @realDonaldTrump. I just hope he isn't another Jeff Flake who says one thing and votes the other way. https://t.co/KqM8aNDOVF
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) January 2, 2019
Romney’s time in the Senate is likely to be most marked by his dissent, although he will most likely often vote in lockstep just as senators like Jeff Flake and Bob Corker.
‘Furthermore, 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. 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.’
However, there will be at least one Republican in the Senate who believes as the majority of Americans do that Trump is not fit to lead the country.
Featured image via Flickr by Gage Skidmore under a Creative Commons license
