Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) recently defended President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet selections, stating that the president-elect should be allowed to choose his team and implement the policies he promised during his campaign.

Romney, who has been a critic of Trump in the past, emphasized that Trump won the election "overwhelmingly" and should be given the opportunity to enact his policies, even though Romney disagrees with some of his appointments, the Washington Examiner reported.

Romney, who will leave the Senate in January after serving one term representing Utah, appeared on CNN’s State of the Union this past Sunday. During the interview, Romney addressed the controversy surrounding Trump’s Cabinet choices, especially those who have faced criticism due to their unorthodox backgrounds.

Trump’s Cabinet picks, which include figures like Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services secretary and Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary, have sparked debate. Romney acknowledged that he would not have selected these individuals but conceded that Trump won the election and has the right to assemble his team as he chooses.

“Donald Trump won. He won overwhelmingly. He said what he was going to do, and that’s what he’s doing. I mean, people are saying, ‘Oh, I don’t like this appointment or this policy that he’s talking about,’” Romney said, referring to critics of the president-elect’s choices. “But those are the things he said he was going to do when he ran. So you can’t complain about someone who does what he said he was going to do.”

Romney’s comments came after criticism of the picks, with some observers questioning their qualifications and alignment with Trump’s policies. However, Romney argued that he disagreed with some of the selections but believed Trump deserved the opportunity to implement his policies.

Romney also spoke about the importance of giving Trump a chance to prove his vision for the country. “I agree with him on a lot of policy fronts. I disagree with him on some things. But it’s like, OK, give him a chance to do what he said he’s going to do and see how it works out,” he explained.

Romney Reflects on Past Campaign and Election Outcome

Romney, who ran for president in 2012 and lost to incumbent President Barack Obama, acknowledged the differences between his own approach and Trump’s. Reflecting on the election results, Romney noted, “But I lost. He won, all right? I would like to revisit that and win, but I didn’t get that chance. And so these are the kind of people he wants to run. And he’s entitled to that.”

Romney also addressed Trump’s Cabinet, likening it to a "team of rivals." He described the group of people Trump had selected as “extraordinarily different” with “different perspectives on issues” from one another and even from Trump himself. Despite his reservations about some of the appointments, Romney acknowledged the value of diverse perspectives in the cabinet.

“Well, a very famous book talked about Abraham Lincoln choosing a team of rivals. This is a team of people who are very, very different, extraordinarily different backgrounds, different perspectives on issues, in some cases, I think even than the president, so an unusual collection of individuals, not the people I would have chosen,” Romney said.

Despite his disagreement with Trump’s choices, Romney emphasized that the Senate’s responsibility is to properly vet each nominee. “The Senate should fulfill its ‘responsibility’ to properly vet Trump’s nominees,” he stressed, underscoring the importance of ensuring that each Cabinet member is qualified for their role.

Senate's Role in Vetting Trump’s Cabinet

Romney’s comments also highlighted the role of the Senate in the confirmation process. Trump’s Cabinet picks, which include some controversial figures, will need Senate approval to take office. With the Republican-controlled Senate likely to approve most of the nominees, Romney’s call for thorough vetting underscores the ongoing checks and balances in the U.S. political system.

Trump has made some unconventional picks, sparking debate over their qualifications and political stances. Among the nominees are people like Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, which has raised eyebrows in both political circles and the media.

Nevertheless, Romney’s comments reflect a willingness to give Trump the benefit of the doubt and an acknowledgment of the president-elect’s victory in the 2024 election. Despite his differing views, Romney’s stance highlights a belief in the president-elect’s right to assemble his administration and pursue his policy agenda.

Future of Trump’s Cabinet Under Republican Control

As the Senate navigates the confirmation process, everyone will watch to see whether it confirms Trump’s Cabinet picks without significant opposition. The Republican Party’s control of the Senate boosts the likelihood that the Senate will ultimately approve Trump’s choices.

Romney’s comments reflect a broader political reality in Washington, where party loyalty and the Senate’s power to confirm presidential appointments play a significant role in shaping the future of the administration. Despite Romney’s personal reservations, the political landscape suggests that Trump’s Cabinet will soon take shape as the president-elect moves forward with his plans for governance.

Romney's defense of Trump’s right to choose his team underscores a key principle in American democracy: the importance of allowing elected officials to fulfill their campaign promises, even when some of their decisions may be controversial. As the Senate prepares to review Trump’s Cabinet picks, Romney’s call for due process and thorough vetting serves as a reminder of the Senate's critical role in confirming key appointments.