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Edited by: Fern Sidman
Senator Mitt Romney recently made headlines with his sharp critique of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s decision to pursue criminal charges against former President Donald Trump. According to a report in The New York Post, Romney, a Republican from Utah and a known critic of Trump, accused Bragg of engaging in “political malpractice,” arguing that the DA’s actions were politically motivated and could have broader implications for the political landscape.
In an interview with his biographer, Atlantic writer McKay Coppins, Romney did not hold back in his assessment of Bragg’s decision. “Bragg should have settled the case against Trump, as would have been the normal procedure. But he made a political decision,” Romney stated, as was reported by The Post. He expressed concern that Bragg’s actions, while potentially successful in the short term, could have long-term negative consequences for the Democratic Party. “Bragg may have won the battle, for now, but he may have lost the political war,” he added, the report in the Post said. Romney likened the Democrats’ approach to trying to extinguish a fire with oxygen, a metaphor for fueling the controversy rather than quelling it.
The charges against Trump, which have sparked intense national debate, revolve around alleged financial misconduct and other legal violations. Bragg’s decision to move forward with these charges has been viewed by some as a necessary step to uphold the rule of law, while others, like Romney, see it as a politically charged maneuver, The Post report observed. The controversy has further polarized an already divided political landscape, with Trump’s supporters rallying behind him and his detractors advocating for accountability.
Romney’s critique extends beyond Bragg to President Joe Biden. Last month, Romney expressed bewilderment at Biden’s decision not to pardon Trump following the federal indictments. He argued that such a move would have been politically advantageous for Biden. “Had I been President Biden, when the Justice Department brought on indictments, I would have immediately pardoned him,” Romney told MSNBC’s “The 11th Hour with Stephanie Ruhle,” as per the information provided in The Post report. He elaborated that pardoning Trump would have positioned Biden as the magnanimous leader, contrasting him with Trump, whom he described as “the little guy.”
Romney’s statements highlight a significant debate within American politics about the intersection of justice and political strategy. By accusing Bragg of political malpractice, Romney suggests that the legal pursuit of Trump could backfire, galvanizing Trump’s base and potentially undermining the Democratic Party’s efforts to move past the Trump era.
Senator Mitt Romney, at 77, has long been a critical voice against former President Donald Trump. As he prepares to retire at the end of his term in January, Romney’s legacy includes his support for both of Trump’s impeachments in 2020 and 2021, the Post report said. This unwavering stance against Trump’s actions during his presidency has set Romney apart within the Republican Party, showcasing his commitment to what he views as upholding constitutional principles and ethical governance.
On Thursday, a Manhattan jury convicted Trump of 34 criminal charges related to falsifying business records. These charges stem from a scheme to influence the 2016 presidential election through a $130,000 “hush money” payment made by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, as was indicated in The Post report. The payment was intended to silence Daniels about an alleged affair with Trump, a scandal that has long haunted the former president.
Trump, also 77, has vowed to appeal the conviction, framing the legal battle as a fight for constitutional rights. He expressed a sense of honor in facing these charges, stating, “we’re fighting for our Constitution, “ the report in The Post added. This rhetoric resonates with his supporters, who view the legal proceedings as politically motivated attacks aimed at undermining his influence and legacy.
