Washington (dpa) – US president-elect Donald Trump is considering Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican nominee for president, to be his secretary of state, vice president-elect Mike Pence confirmed Sunday.
Romney is under “active consideration,” Pence said on Fox News.
President-elect Donald Trump and vice president-elect Mike Pence greet erstwhile rival and critic, former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, after his arrival at Trump’s Bedminster, New Jersey country club. Trump is considering Romney to be his secretary of state, Pence confirmed Sunday.(Credit Image: © Andy Katz/Pacific Press via ZUMA Wire)
Romney, one of Trump’s sharpest critics during the campaign, met with the president-elect on Saturday for what Romney said was a “very thorough and in-depth discussion.”
Romney also said he appreciated the chance to speak with Trump and looks forward to the coming administration.
The comments mark an abrupt turnaround for ties between the two men. In a blistering speech in March, Romney called Trump a “phony and a fraud.”
The former Massachusetts governor and head of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee of the 2002 winter Olympics lost the 2012 election to Barack Obama.
Appointing Romney, a moderate Republican with a background in investment banking, would be a departure from Trump’s other selections thus far, who are considered hardliners.
They include Senator Jeff Sessions as attorney general, Mike Pompeo as CIA director and retired lieutenant general Michael Flynn as national security advisor.
Trump also met Saturday with retired marine general James Mattis, a prospective secretary of defence.
On Sunday he tweeted: “General James ‘Mad Dog’ Mattis, who is being considered for Secretary of Defense, was very impressive yesterday. A true General’s General!”
Trump also commented on the selection of New York Senator Chuck Schumer to replace retiring Senator Harry Reid as minority leader in the Senate.
“I have always had a good relationship with Chuck Schumer. He is far smarter than Harry R and has the ability to get things done. Good news!” Trump tweeted.
Schumer, 65, had been expected to be chosen as Reid’s successor. He is expected to play an important role in dealing with Republicans, who, in addition to capturing the White House, also maintained their majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate in the November 8 election.
-dpa
