Kamala Harris Gains Support from Top Retired U.S. Military Officials
In a significant show of support, ten retired senior U.S. military officials publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, asserting she is the only candidate qualified to be the nation’s commander in chief. The endorsement letter, released on Monday, labels former President Donald Trump a “danger” to both national security and democracy.
Signatories of the letter include Retired General Larry Ellis and Retired Rear Admiral Michael Smith, who pointed to Trump’s past derogatory remarks about military personnel and his “chaotic” handling of the Afghanistan withdrawal. They specifically criticized his negotiations with the Taliban, which allowed thousands of fighters to re-enter the conflict.
In contrast, the retired officials praised Harris for her demonstrated capability in addressing complex national security issues, citing her responses to global challenges like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and rising tensions with China. “Harris is the best—and only—presidential candidate in this race who is fit to serve as our commander in chief,” they emphasized in the letter shared on social media by her campaign.
This endorsement comes just before a critical debate between Harris and Trump, scheduled for Tuesday evening, amid a tightly contested race leading up to the November 5 election.
Coinciding with the endorsement, Harris’s campaign released a new advertisement featuring warnings from former Trump administration officials about the dangers of a second Trump presidency. The ad features notable figures, including former Vice President Mike Pence and former Defense Secretary Mike Esper, highlighting their concerns about Trump’s leadership capabilities.
Additionally, the timing of the letter aligns with an upcoming congressional ceremony led by House Speaker Mike Johnson, commemorating the 13 service members who lost their lives during the tumultuous Afghanistan withdrawal in August 2021. The retired military officials criticized Trump for evading responsibility for the circumstances that endangered service members, particularly his decision to negotiate a deal that released Taliban fighters without involving the Afghan government and his failure to establish a withdrawal strategy after leaving office.
