Military Officials Flip On Trump
In a recent development, ten retired U.S. military generals and admirals have voiced their support for Vice President Kamala Harris, urging voters to reconsider backing former President Donald Trump in the forthcoming election. This endorsement is articulated in a letter from the National Security Leaders for America, a group dedicated to evaluating national security issues from a non-partisan perspective.
The letter, first highlighted by Axios, asserts that Vice President Harris is the only candidate with the necessary qualifications to lead as Commander-in-Chief. It critiques Trump as a threat to national security and democratic principles. According to the retired military leaders, Harris has shown considerable capability in handling complex national security matters, ranging from orchestrating international alliances to counter Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and managing U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region against China’s assertive maneuvers. They also commend her efforts in advancing American leadership in critical areas such as space and artificial intelligence.
The letter emphasizes Harris’s strong support for the military, veterans, and their families, contrasting it with Trump’s alleged disregard for those who have served, including wounded warriors, prisoners of war, and fallen heroes.
Among the signatories are notable figures like Admiral Steve Abbot, General Lloyd W. Newton, and General Larry R. Ellis. They specifically critique Trump for the disorganized U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, attributing significant responsibility for the chaos to Trump’s administration. They argue that Trump’s lack of a coherent exit strategy left the Biden-Harris administration with an untenable situation, putting both American troops and allied forces in jeopardy.
The withdrawal from Afghanistan has become a focal point in the political debate, with Trump and House Republicans using it as a major criticism against Harris. The House Foreign Affairs Committee recently released a report accusing the Biden administration of rushing the withdrawal process, leading to tragic consequences, including the deaths of 13 American service members in a suicide bombing.
Trump’s attempt to leverage the Afghanistan issue at a campaign event at Arlington National Cemetery, where he visited the grave of a Marine killed in the attack, drew backlash from Harris’s campaign and veterans. Critics pointed out that Trump’s visit violated cemetery rules against political activities.
As the election approaches, Trump and Harris are scheduled for their first debate in Philadelphia on Tuesday, setting the stage for a critical discussion on these national security issues.
