In a significant development, more than 700 high-ranking national security officials have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the presidency, highlighting growing unease about former President Donald Trump’s leadership style. The endorsement comes just days before Harris addresses the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C., on September 18, 2024.
The endorsement letter, which has garnered support from 741 former officials—including 233 general and flag officers—expresses a collective belief that the nation requires a competent and serious Commander-in-Chief. Among the signatories are 15 four-star generals, 10 former Cabinet secretaries, and leaders from both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Michael Smith, president of National Security Leaders for America, emphasized Harris’s readiness for the presidency, stating, “She’s prepared, strategic, and understands all sides of an issue.” Smith criticized Trump’s “scary authoritarian streak,” asserting that Harris embodies the qualities necessary for effective leadership.
The letter underscores two key principles shared by the signatories: the necessity of a capable leader for national security and the importance of protecting American democracy. “Each generation has a responsibility to defend it,” the letter states, urging voters to support Harris as the next President of the United States.
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Signatories also contrast Harris’s diplomatic approach with Trump’s perceived impulsiveness. The letter critiques Trump’s relations with global leaders, including Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and members of Hezbollah, branding him as “impulsive and ill-informed.”
“Our endorsement of Vice President Harris is an endorsement of freedom and an act of patriotism,” the letter concludes, asserting that she represents democratic ideals and a hopeful vision for America’s future.
This endorsement follows a similar statement from over 100 former GOP national security figures earlier in the week, who cited Trump’s “chaotic and unethical behavior” as a reason for their support of Harris. They echoed that she possesses the essential qualities needed for effective presidential leadership.
