More than 100 former Republican officials have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, raising concerns about the potential dangers of a second Trump administration and criticizing the former president's "chaotic and unethical behavior." The signatories include prominent figures from the Bush and Reagan administrations, as well as former members of Congress.
More than 100 former Republican officials have penned a letter endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris, citing concerns about the potential dangers of a second Trump administration and criticizing Donald Trump's "chaotic and unethical behavior." The signatories, who include prominent figures from the Bush and Reagan administrations, as well as former members of Congress, argue that Harris is "the best choice" to lead the nation and restore a "measure of bipartisanship and comity."
Republican Elite Endorse Kamala Harris, Warning of Trump's 'Dangerous' Behavior
The letter, released on Wednesday, asserts that while Republicans may have concerns about Harris, those concerns "pale in comparison to Donald Trump's demonstrated chaotic and unethical behavior and disregard for our Republic's time-tested principles of constitutional governance." The signatories express particular concern about Trump's "unpredictable nature" in diplomacy and his "susceptibility to flattery and manipulation" by foreign adversaries.
"Donald Trump's cozying up to U.S. adversaries, unusual affinity for other authoritarian leaders, contempt for the norms of decent, ethical, and lawful behavior, and chaotic national security decision-making are dangerous qualities," the letter reads. The signatories also criticized Trump's "constant drama and Cabinet turnover," which they say would be absent in a Harris presidency.
Republican Elite Endorse Kamala Harris, Warning of Trump's 'Dangerous' Behavior
The endorsement from former Republican officials comes as Harris's campaign makes a concerted effort to target vulnerable Republican voters. Harris campaign spokesperson Ian Sams recently told Fox News Digital that Harris "has Republican momentum right now."
"We are proud of the bipartisan groundswell behind Vice President Harris," Sams said. "And we will continue working every day to earn the support of Republican voters who want a president like her who still believes in patriotism, freedom, and our Constitution."
Republican Elite Endorse Kamala Harris, Warning of Trump's 'Dangerous' Behavior
The letter also comes shortly after former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, former Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, both indicated they would be voting for Harris. The endorsement from the Cheneys, who have been outspoken critics of Trump, was seen as a significant boost to Harris's efforts to secure Republican support.
However, the endorsement from former Republican officials has also drawn criticism from the Trump campaign. Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung slammed the signatories, arguing they are "the same people who got our country into endless foreign wars and profited off of them while the American people suffered."
Republican Elite Endorse Kamala Harris, Warning of Trump's 'Dangerous' Behavior
"President Trump is the only president in the modern era not to get our country into any new wars," Cheung said. Trump surrogate Tulsi Gabbard also praised Trump for engaging with U.S. adversaries, calling it a "critical part of successful U.S. diplomacy."
Despite the criticism, the letter from former Republican officials is seen as a significant development in the 2024 presidential race. It indicates that a growing number of Republicans are willing to break with the party and support Harris over Trump.
The letter concludes by saying that Trump should never be able to hold political office of any kind in the future. "We believe that Kamala Harris can, and we urge other Americans to join us in supporting her," the letter said.
