The recent protests have resulted in Americans lifting their voices like never before to offer support to the Black Lives Matter movement across racial and socioeconomic lines. One unexpected face showed up in a protest today to chant along with the demonstrators.
Current Utah Senator and former GOP presidential candidate in 2012, Mitt Romney, tweeted video of himself marching with protesters and proclaiming right along with them the phrase “black lives matter.”
His participation follows days of the current president’s recriminations and retaliation against protesters. Trump’s actions on Monday, when he insisted that law enforcement and military members shoot peaceful protesters with tear gas and rubber bullets so that he could stroll across the lawn for a photo shoot, was a last straw for several top Republican figures.
I have just given an order for our National Guard to start the process of withdrawing from Washington, D.C., now that everything is under perfect control. They will be going home, but can quickly return, if needed. Far fewer protesters showed up last night than anticipated!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 7, 2020
Former Florida Governor and presidential candidate Jeb Bush and former president George W. Bush have already stated that they will not support Trump’s reelection, but have not directly said that they are endorsing Biden. Former Secretary of Defense Colin Powell, however, endorsed Biden on Sunday. Powell also endorsed Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, giving Obama a significant boost among moderate Republicans and Independents.
Nice pic.twitter.com/ZsON7OrJBE
— ElElegante101 (@skolanach) June 7, 2020
This is not the first time that Mitt Romney has acted in a way contrary to his fellow Republicans, who tend to see conservative judges and Republican agendas as more important than this pivotal moment in presidential history when they were called upon to speak out against a man destroying every value this country ever held. Romney was the sole Republican who voted for Trump to be removed from office at his impeachment hearing.
Twitter was happy to see Romney join the movement, even if he arrived at the party a little bit late. Read some of their comments below:
Featured image screenshot via Twitter
