Washington is already taking sides in the battle between President Trump and incoming Utah Sen. Mitt Romney, with Trump ally Sen. Rand Paul slamming the 2012 GOP presidential nominee.

Paul, R-Ky., tweeted that Romney is a “Big Government Republican” and a faux conservative, and a top Paul aide said that Trump is delivering on his promises.

In reacting to Romney’s attack in the Washington Post on Trump, Paul also made clear that he does not think Romney, who is still to be sworn in as a new senator, has any affinity for former President Ronald Reagan.

Paul tweeted Wednesday morning, “Like other Big Government Republicans who never liked Reagan, Mitt Romney wants to signal how virtuous he is in comparison to the President. Well, I’m most concerned and pleased with the actual conservative reform agenda @realDonaldTrump has achieved.”



Like other Big Government Republicans who never liked Reagan, Mitt Romney wants to signal how virtuous he is in comparison to the President. Well, I’m most concerned and pleased with the actual conservative reform agenda @realDonaldTrump has achieved.

https://t.co/vNvp2ZwyK7 — Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 2, 2019



He joined others, including Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Trump, in hitting Romney.

In an afternoon conference call with reporters, Paul said that Romney's personal attack was "virtue signaling" and a "minority position" among Republicans in the Senate. "I think this is going to be an anomaly," he added.

He added that Romney's anti-Trump tirade won't go over well in Utah.

"Let's keep this more about issues and less about name calling," Paul told reporters on the phone call.

"It's a big mistake," he said, adding, "I just don't think the president deserves to have a new senator coming in attacking his character."

Sergio Gor, Paul's deputy chief of staff, told Secrets, "Sen. Rand Paul considers President Trump a friend, but beyond that, he is thrilled with his conservative policies, which have included historic tax cuts, massive regulation cuts, the appointment of constitutional jurists, and implementing an 'America First' foreign policy by focusing on America and not every problem around the world. This president is delivering on his promises, and moderate Republicans should work with him to fulfill even more."