Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Thursday praised her onetime opponent Scott Brown, who President-elect Donald Trump is considering nominating to be secretary of veteran affairs.
In an interview with Boston’s WGBH, Warren offered enthusiastic support for Brown, whom she unseated in the often-contentious 2012 Massachusetts Senate race.
“If Scott Brown is the nominee for Veterans Affairs, I have no doubt that he would put his heart and soul into trying to help veterans,” she said. “And I would put my heart and soul into trying to help him do that. You bet I’d support that.”
Warren has a personal stake in the Department of Veteran Affairs ― all three of her brothers served in the military.
Brown has met with Trump to discuss the potential appointment.
“We obviously spoke about my passion and his passion, which is veterans and veterans issues,” Brown said last month. “And obviously I think the toughest job in the Cabinet is leading the VA, because while it has so many great angels working there, it has great problems as well.”
Later Thursday, he thanked Warren for her support:
Trump is reportedly also considering 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee and former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for the role. Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) has been floated for the post as well.
Warren’s praise may be more curse than blessing for Brown. The Democrat is fiercely critical of Trump and his nascent administration. In turn, Trump has frequently berated Warren, mockingly calling her “Pocahontas” in reference to a 2012 controversy over her claims of Cherokee heritage.
Warren also discussed the potential nomination of 2012 GOP presidential nominee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as secretary of state, but stopped short of endorsing him.
“I’d like to hear more,” she said. “But I think Mitt Romney is a smart man, and I think he’s got a pretty level headed view of the world.”
This story has been updated to include Brown’s tweet.
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