This has angered many on the right.
Former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper made it clear in a recent appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher that he won’t be casting his vote for Donald Trump in the upcoming November election. Esper, who served under Trump’s administration, revealed that he is increasingly leaning towards supporting President Joe Biden, whom he quoted as calling Trump a “threat to democracy.”
During the interview, Maher asked Esper directly if he would vote for Biden. Esper responded by stating that while he’s certain he won’t be voting for Trump, he hasn’t fully committed to supporting Biden yet. He explained that with each passing day and with every new controversial action from Trump, he finds himself more inclined to consider voting for Biden.
Maher pressed Esper on his stance, questioning how he could still be undecided after expressing such strong reservations about Trump. Esper clarified that although he’s ruling out voting for Trump, he’s not entirely convinced about backing Biden either, but his inclination towards Biden grows stronger as Trump continues to act in ways that concern him.
The exchange concluded with Maher humorously remarking about the metaphorical “slow opening door” of Esper’s decision-making process.
Esper has been vocal about his criticisms of the defense strategies of both administrations. He has faulted the Biden administration for what he perceives as a lack of assertiveness in dealing with Iranian proxies in Syria and Iran, as well as exacerbating tensions with the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.
During Trump’s presidency, Esper served as the Secretary of Defense for just over a year, following a tenure as the acting secretary and earlier service as Secretary of the Army starting in 2017. Despite his previous roles in the Trump administration, Esper’s reluctance to support Trump’s reelection underscores the divisions within the Republican Party regarding the former president’s leadership and policies.
