WASHINGTON — Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is under “serious” consideration to serve his one-time nemesis Donald Trump, after a successful meeting over the weekend, according to the vice president-elect.
“Governor Romney is under active and serious consideration to serve as secretary of state of the United States,” Mike Pence told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
Romney was one of Trump’s harshest critics during the campaign, rebuking him as a “con man” and “fraud,” while Trump blasted the 2012 GOP presidential nominee as a choke artist who was so desperate for his endorsement, he would have “dropped to his knees.”
But the pair apparently buried the hatchet after the election and Romney met with Trump for about 80 minutes Saturday at Trump National Golf Course in Bedminster, NJ.
“I appreciated the chance to speak with the president-elect and look forward to the coming administration,” an optimistic Romney told reporters about their “far-reaching conversation.”
The move would be widely seen as an effort to bring together the Republican Party and allay concerns of many Democrats and doves.
Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul called Romney a “reasonable” and “even-keel” choice, whereas he dissed two other potential Trump picks for secretary of state — former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former ambassador John Bolton — as “unrepentant” for backing the Iraq War and prone to “throwing bombs.”
Paul blasted Giuliani and Bolton for advocating regime change in Iran. “That doesn’t sound like diplomacy, it sounds like war,” Paul said on CBS’s “Face the Nation.”
Loyal Trump enthusiast Giuliani is meeting with Trump today in Bedminster and he’s “of course” still in the mix for the top diplomatic post, Trump chief of staff Reince Priebus told ABC’s “This Week.”
Meanwhile, conservative broadcaster Laura Ingraham confirmed on “Fox News Sunday” she’s still being considered for White House press secretary.
“It’s an intriguing idea and it really is a great privilege to be considered,” said Ingraham, who was widely praised for her thunderous Republican National Convention speech. “… It’s nice to be considered and I’m always open to new adventure.”
Trump made five staffing announcements so far: Priebus for chief of staff, Kansas Rep. Mike Pompeo for CIA director, retired Lt. Gen. Mike Flynn for national security adviser, Steve Bannon for chief strategist and Sen. Jeff Sessions for attorney general — the latter three drawing the most scrutiny.
Sessions is opposed by the congressional black, Hispanic and Asian caucuses for what they say are racially charged comments and opposition to immigration and civil rights protections.
“He’s not a man of justice. He’s a man of injustice,” said Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Georgia) on MSNBC’s “Politics Nation.”
Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer promised a serious “tough vetting” for his colleague during confirmation hearings on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Sessions was denied Senate confirmation in 1986 for a judgeship amid allegations of racist remarks in the past.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich called the left-wing attacks on Sessions a “smear” campaign.
“Jeff Sessions is a very honest and very decent human being deeply committed to the civil rights of every American,” Gingrich said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.”