Published 5: 55 p.m. ET April 16, 2020| Upgraded 6: 47 a.m. ET April 17, 2020
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Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, gives psychological description of his decision to vote to convict President Trump in impeachment trial.
Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Sen. Mitt Romney, the sole Republican who voted to found guilty President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, was the only GOP senator not welcomed to serve on the president’s brand-new panel to advise on resuming the nation throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Of the 53 Senate Republicans, 52 now serve in the “Opening America Again Congressional Group,” which even consists of a lots Senate Democrats– however not Romney.
The Utah senator, who was the Republican party’s nominee for president in 2012, has actually been a regular critic of Trump and, in turn, has felt the sting of Trump’s attacks– which included the president calling him a “pompous a ” in a tweet.
Romney likewise was not welcomed on a Thursday telephone call in which the president talked with senators of both celebrations about the coronavirus and the potential for reopening the nation for business, according to a senior administration authorities.
Asked about why Romney was excluded, the official merely stated, “he wasn’t invited.”
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A solitary GOP voice fighting Trump for the soul of the Republican Celebration
More: GOP Sen. Romney faces awkwardness, ‘abuse’ for defying Trump on impeachment
The panel, which was rolled out Thursday, consists of 65 senators and 32 Home members. It aims to offer guidance and concepts for ways to securely reopen the economy when the coronavirus slows its spread throughout the nation. On calls with members of the group Thursday, Trump heard questions about increased testing for COVID-19 and alternatives for how the country might safely resume without risking a resurgence in cases.
While Republicans comprise most of the group, it also consists of 12 Democratic senators, one independent and 10 Home Democrats.
Trump and Romney have a complicated history and relationship. In 2016, Romney held a press conference to knock the future president as a “fake” and a “scams.” After Trump was chosen, they were photographed at supper together discussing Romney potentially serving as secretary of state.
More: Trump consults with Romney, Collins, other Republican senators at White Home during impeachment hearing
More: Gingrich: Trump-Romney supper was out of ‘Pretty Woman’
Because concerning the Senate in 2018, Romney has handled the role of Trump’s chief Republican critic. He has voiced opposition and concerns on a lot of the concerns his colleagues usually attempt to shy away from going over.
In an interview with USA TODAY in October, Romney said he’s had a long career and is no longer at the point of stressing over the political implications of his actions.
” I’m not going to stress a lot about the political repercussion, or praise or lack thereof,” he stated when inquired about his tradition. “And I hope that my kids down the roadway will state ‘Yeah, you know our dad, our grandpa our great-grandfather was an individual of integrity and honored his oath of workplace.'”
Mitt Romney: A singular GOP voice fighting Trump for the soul of the Republican politician Party
In February, Romney joined Senate Democrats in voting to found guilty Trump on a short article accusing the president of abusing his power by attempting to pressure Ukraine into announcing investigations of political rivals, consisting of former Vice President Joe Biden, in exchange for releasing almost $400 million in military aid. Romney voted against the second post charging Trump with obstruction of Congress. Trump was acquitted on both short articles.
Contributing: David Jackson and Ledge King
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