Special Poll
Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) expressed serious concerns about former President Trump’s threats against his political adversaries, urging the public to not take these threats lightly. In an interview with McKay Coppins of The Atlantic, Romney discussed his interpretations and reactions to Trump’s vocal intentions to use the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue political opponents if he were re-elected. According to Romney, Trump’s track record supports the credibility of these threats, making it prudent to take his words at face value.
Throughout his tenure as senator, Romney has occasionally broken ranks with the Republican Party, especially in his criticisms of Trump. Notably, he was the first senator from his party to vote to convict Trump during his first impeachment trial, and one of a small group of Republicans who joined the Democrats in the second impeachment trial. These actions underline his concerns about Trump’s influence and governance.
Romney reflected on the potential personal implications of Trump’s threats during his interview with Coppins, who recently authored Romney’s biography. The senator contemplated the possibility of being a target on what he referred to as Trump’s “enemy list.” While discussing the ramifications of another Trump presidency on his and his family’s safety, Romney admitted uncertainty about the extent of potential retaliations.
He reassured Coppins that he had not engaged in any misconduct that would justify DOJ scrutiny, such as affairs or mishandling classified documents. However, he expressed concern for his family, particularly given his five sons and their families, and his 25 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Despite hoping for the best, he acknowledged the strain of protecting such a large family from potential political retaliation.
In response to Romney’s apprehensions voiced in the interview, Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung dismissed the concerns, stating that Romney was “too insignificant to matter.” This statement from the Trump camp highlights the dismissive attitude towards Romney’s warnings and the polarized nature of current political discourse. Romney’s stance and the subsequent response underscore the deep divisions within the Republican Party and the broader political landscape, as well as the serious implications of political rhetoric and actions in today’s governance.