Key Points:
In an open letter from National Security Leaders for America, 741 bipartisan former national security officials endorsed Harris for president, labeling Trump as “impulsive and ill-informed.”
The letter was signed by prominent figures, including former Secretaries of State Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, as well as Republican Secretaries of Defense Chuck Hagel and William Cohen.
The statement criticized Trump’s foreign policy record and his alleged role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
This endorsement comes as the Harris campaign works to attract Republicans who may be distancing themselves from Trump.
In an open letter published Sunday by National Security Leaders for America, more than 700 former national security and military officials endorsed Kamala Harris for president over Donald Trump in the 2024 election.
“This election presents a choice between serious leadership and vengeful impulsiveness,” stated the group, consisting of bipartisan senior leaders who served in the military and other government offices.
“We are trained to make sober, rational decisions. That’s why we believe Vice President Harris would be an excellent Commander-in-Chief, while Mr. Trump has proven unfit for the role,” the group added.
The letter, signed by 741 individuals, criticized Trump as “impulsive and ill-informed.” It included prominent Harris supporters like Hillary Clinton and John Kerry, as well as Republican Secretaries of Defense Chuck Hagel and William Cohen, both of whom served under Democratic administrations.
The signatories also included 15 retired four-star generals, 12 former Cabinet-level officials, eight service secretaries, over 120 ambassadors, and three officials from the Trump era: Retired U.S. Army Gen. Peter Chiarelli, former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Paul Selva, and retired Major Gen. Eric Thorne Olson.