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Incoming Senator Mitt Romney has written a scathing op-ed targeting U.S. President Donald Trump, saying he “has not risen to the mantle of the office”. The barbed remarks from the 2012 Republican presidential candidate came as he and other lawmakers prepare to take up their seats in the new Congress. ‘Alienated allies’ “With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable,” Mr. Romney wrote in the op-ed piece in The Washington Post on Tuesday. “And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring.” He added that Mr. Trump’s actions had caused “dismay around the world” and alienated traditional allies in Europe. His comments seemed to suggest that Mr. Romney is positioning himself to take over the role of Jeff Flake, a departing Senator who was a vocal critic of Mr. Trump. The U.S. leader responded in a relatively restrained tweet. “Here we go with Mitt Romney, but so fast! Question will be, is he a Flake? I hope not,” he wrote. “Would much prefer that Mitt focus on Border Security and so many other things where he can be helpful. I won big, and he didn’t. He should be happy for all Republicans. Be a TEAM player & WIN.” It is the latest twist in a relationship that has run hot and cold for years. Mr. Romney called presidential candidate Mr. Trump a fraud and a phony in 2016. But last year, he thanked Mr. Trump for his endorsement as Mr. Romney ran for a senate seat from Utah. In the op-ed piece, Mr. Romney said he was initially encouraged when Mr. Trump brought into his Cabinet steady-hand figures like James Mattis as Defense Secretary and John Kelly as Chief of Staff. “But, on balance, 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,” Mr. Romney wrote.
