Newly sworn-in Sen. Mitt Romney on Thursday defended his editorial against President Donald Trump on Thursday, a scathing attack that won him plaudits from administration opponents but drew the ire of some fellow Republicans.
Romney's essay, published New Year's Day in the Washington Post, was a wide-ranging indictment of Trump's policy agenda and leadership of the GOP. Romney accused Trump of failing to rise "to the mantle of the office" and criticized the president's decision to wind down U.S. military involvement in Syria and Afghanistan.
Echoing the rhetoric of Trump's Democratic opponents, Romney also vowed to call out any "divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions" actions on the part of the White House.
"With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable," the 2012 Republican presidential nominee wrote. "And it is in this province where the incumbent's shortfall has been most glaring."
When asked about the backlash to his op-ed in some GOP circles, Romney denied that he was promoting himself at the expense of the party.
"I think it's important as I step into the Senate in this new responsibility to lay out my priorities and my perspectives which I was able to do," Romney told reporters at his temporary office on Capitol Hill, according to CBS News.
"I'm not worried about what other people think about what I have to say. I just want to hear what they have to say about their priorities and their perspective," he added.
But some fellow Republicans were put off by the timing of Romney's essay, coming at a time when Democrats have retaken control of the House and are poised to thwart the GOP's legislative agenda. Sen. Rand Paul, who has emerged as a key Trump ally, particularly on foreign policy issues, accused Romney of a "holier-than-thou" grandstanding.
"It's like, look at me, how virtuous I am," the Kentucky Republican told FOX News' Neil Cavuto on Wednesday. "And I'm going to bring down the presidency by criticizing his character in front of the whole nation."
"It does nobody any good," Paul added. "And, in the end, I think it's going to look petty, and I think there's going to be a backlash to this."
Romney brushed aside that criticism as he arrived in Washington, saying he expects to build a constructive relationship with the president and other Republicans.
"I look forward to being able to have a trusting relationship with the president and others despite differences from time to time," Romney said.
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