Former national security leaders endorse Kamala Harris, sound alarm on Trump’s threats

A coalition of former national security officials has united to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for president, issuing a stark warning about the dangers posed by Donald Trump.

Their powerful letter, directed to the American people, emphasizes their collective commitment to the Constitution and the ideals of the nation.

The signatories, who include retired generals, admirals, senior noncommissioned officers, ambassadors, and national security leaders from across the political spectrum, articulated their stance with a clear message: “To the American People, We are former public servants who swore an oath to the Constitution. Many of us risked our lives for it. We are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We are loyal to the ideals of our nation—like freedom, democracy, and the rule of law—not to any one individual or party.”

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The letter outlines two fundamental principles shared by the group: the necessity of a serious and capable Commander-in-Chief for America’s national security, and the invaluable nature of American democracy, which they believe each generation must defend. They declared, “That is why we, the undersigned, proudly endorse Kamala Harris to be the next President of the United States.”

The officials highlighted the critical nature of the upcoming election, framing it as “a choice between serious leadership and vengeful impulsiveness. It is a choice between democracy and authoritarianism.” They praised Harris for her commitment to defending American democratic ideals while labeling Trump as a threat to those principles.

The letter continues, “We do not make such an assessment lightly. We are trained to make sober, rational decisions. That is how we know Vice President Harris would make an excellent Commander-in-Chief, while Mr. Trump has proven he is not up to the job.”

The group stressed that effective leadership requires in-depth knowledge, careful deliberation, empathy, and the ability to listen to experts, qualities they assert Harris possesses. They commended her diplomatic efforts, particularly in maintaining support for Ukraine against Russian aggression and ensuring the U.S. military remains a formidable force.

Contrasting Harris with Trump, the officials stated, “The contrast with Mr. Trump is clear: where Vice President Harris is prepared and strategic, he is impulsive and ill-informed.” They criticized Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders and his disrespect towards longstanding allies, highlighting a troubling pattern in his foreign policy.

“Further, Mr. Trump denigrates our great country and does not believe in the American ideal that our leaders should reflect the will of the people,” the letter asserted. They pointed to Trump’s attempts to undermine the peaceful transfer of power, calling him “the first president in American history to actively undermine” this cornerstone of democracy.

The officials detailed Trump’s alarming statements, including calls for the “termination” of parts of the Constitution and his self-proclaimed desire to be a “dictator.” They warned, “That alone proves Mr. Trump is unfit to be Commander-in-Chief.”

In closing, the letter echoed the sentiments of former President Ronald Reagan, asserting, “America is a shining city on a hill.” However, they reminded the public of another of Reagan’s warnings: “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction,” underscoring the urgency of their endorsement for Harris and the imperative to safeguard democracy.