Over 700 National Security Leaders Back Kamala Harris for President, Criticize Trump's Leadership

In a notable statement, over 700 former national security and military officials rallied behind Kamala Harris's candidacy for the presidency in the impending 2024 elections, positioning her as a more suitable leader compared to Donald Trump. The open letter, disseminated by the National Security Leaders for America, underscored the stark contrast between Harris's leadership capabilities and the perceived impulsiveness of Trump.

Critical Endorsement

The group, composed of bipartisan senior leaders with military and governmental experience, emphasized the importance of thoughtful decision-making in leadership roles. They expressed their resolute belief in Vice President Harris's qualifications for the Commander-in-Chief position while unequivocally stating that Trump has demonstrated an inability to fulfill such responsibilities.

Impassing Charge Against Trump

The letter, which garnered the signatures of 741 individuals, including prominent figures such as Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and former Secretaries of Defense Chuck Hagel and William Cohen, criticized Trump for his perceived impulsiveness and lack of informed judgment. Remarkably, Hagel and Cohen, who have previously served under Democratic presidents, lent their support to Harris, signifying a cross-party consensus against Trump's leadership.

Distinguished Signatories

Among the signatories were an impressive array of military and government veterans, including 15 retired four-star generals, 12 former Cabinet-level officials, and over 120 ambassadors. Notably, three officials with ties to the Trump administration—Retired U.S. Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli, retired four-star Gen. Paul Selva (former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), and retired Major Gen. Eric Thorne Olson—also endorsed Harris, further underscoring the bipartisan nature of the endorsement.

Undermining Democratic Norms

The letter starkly criticized Trump, labeling him the first president in American history to actively undermine the peaceful transfer of power, a cornerstone of American democracy. It pointed out Trump's lack of remorse for attempts to overturn the 2020 election results on January 6th, his promises to pardon those convicted for their role in the insurrection, and his stated unwillingness to respect the results of the impending 2024 election should he lose.

Strained International Relations

Furthermore, the letter condemned Trump's public and private criticisms of American allies, specifically naming leaders from the United Kingdom, Israel, Australia, Canada, and Germany. It also denounced his decision to abandon allied Kurdish fighters in Syria amid an anticipated Turkish attack in 2019, highlighting the detrimental impact on international relationships and alliances.

Defending Trump

In response to the critical letter, Trump Campaign Communications Director Steven Cheung characterized the endorsers as individuals who had previously led the country into "endless foreign wars" for their benefit while disregarding the suffering of the American people. Cheung asserted, "President Trump is the only President in the modern era not to get our country into any new wars," attempting to deflect the criticisms.

Expanding Harris's Appeal

The endorsement from former national security and military officials follows another letter in which 111 Republican former national security and foreign policy officials endorsed Harris, deeming Trump "unfit to serve again." This endorsement underscored Harris's strategy to appeal to conservative and moderate voters who might be wavering in their support for Trump.

Concerns About Democratic Threats

The letter made significant assertions regarding Trump, warning of threats to the democratic system. It cited Trump's past statements calling for the 'termination' of parts of the Constitution and his expressed desire to assume dictatorial powers, portraying these declarations as fundamentally undermining the tenets of democracy.

Potential Electoral Implications

The endorsements from former national security and military officials, coupled with the earlier backing from Republican figures, signal a concerted effort to challenge Trump’s position in the upcoming elections. This coalition of endorsements not only emphasizes the urgency of the electoral decision but also highlights the significance of leadership qualifications and adherence to democratic principles.