Just days before Mitt Romney is to be sworn in as the junior senator from Utah, he published an op-ed at Washington Post regarding President Trump, stating “Trump’s character falls short.”

Policies and appointments are only a part of a presidency. A president must also unite us, inspire us, and defend our vital institutions. https://t.co/jmIw8XbV4k

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) January 2, 2019

Romney writes that, although he agreed with Trump’s early appointments such as Nikki Haley, John Kelly, and James Mattis and supported the mainstream Republican policies Trump’s administration implemented, Trump’s “conduct over the past two years, particularly his actions this month, is evidence that the president has not risen to the mantle of the office.”

Romney notes that global trust in America has fallen, according to the latest Pew Research Center polls, and laments that foreign affairs are increasingly precarious:

Several allies in Europe are experiencing political upheaval. Several former Soviet satellite states are rethinking their commitment to democracy. Some Asian nations, such as the Philippines, lean increasingly toward China, which advances to rival our economy and our military. The alternative to U.S. world leadership offered by China and Russia is autocratic, corrupt and brutal.

He urges a change in America’s priorities, recommending a focus on balancing the budget and repairing relations with our allies, among others.

Lastly, he makes it clear that he intends to work with other senators, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky), and he will speak out when he deems it necessary:

Furthermore, I will act as I would with any president, in or out of my party: I will support policies that I believe are in the best interest of the country and my state, and oppose those that are not. I do not intend to comment on every tweet or fault. But I will speak out against significant statements or actions that are divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions.

Reporter Haley Byrd observed that Romney’s stance was similar to many other Senate Republicans:

Key graf in the Romney op-ed — pretty common stance among Senate Republicans https://t.co/gBJWf8f8dt pic.twitter.com/tae9snRfSt

— Haley Byrd (@byrdinator) January 2, 2019

Regardless, it’s more than likely the president will be unable to resist tweeting a response within the day.

Read the full editorial here.

The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent those of any other individual or entity. Follow Sarah on Twitter: @sarahmquinlan.