In a powerful show of bipartisan criticism, more than 100 Republican former national security officials and members of Congress endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday, citing former President Donald Trump’s “demonstrated chaotic and unethical behavior.” The letter, signed by high-profile Republicans, lays out their reasons for supporting Harris while condemning Trump’s leadership qualities, particularly in matters of national security.
“She possesses the essential qualities to serve as President, and Donald Trump does not,” the letter states. It goes on to highlight Trump’s vulnerability to manipulation by authoritarian figures such as Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, his disregard for ethical behavior, and his erratic national security decision-making. “These are dangerous qualities,” the letter adds, emphasizing that Trump is “unfit to serve again as President, or indeed in any office of public trust.”
Among the signatories are former Senator William Cohen (R-Maine), who served as Defense Secretary under President Clinton; former CIA Director Michael Hayden, who served under Presidents Obama and George W. Bush; and former Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte. The letter was also signed by several ex-GOP lawmakers, including Charles Boustany (La.), Barbara Comstock (Va.), and Adam Kinzinger (Ill.).
The group commended Harris for “championing the rule of law, democracy, and constitutional principles” and supporting bipartisan legislation on border security, while also expressing solidarity with U.S. allies. The letter reflects a growing bipartisan movement that sees Harris as a more stable and principled leader compared to Trump, with figures from the Reagan administration to the Trump era among the signatories.
The letter also cites Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, quoting former Vice President Mike Pence: “Anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be President of the United States.” The signatories accuse Trump of promoting chaos, undermining alliances, and violating his oath of office, especially by inciting and defending the insurrectionists.
This endorsement from Republican figures follows similar support for Harris from over 230 former GOP staffers and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who served under President George W. Bush. While acknowledging concerns some Republicans may have with Harris, the group argues these concerns “pale in comparison” to Trump’s behavior, which they say threatens global security through unpredictability and erratic leadership.
“His unpredictable nature is not the negotiating virtue he extols,” they write, warning that Trump’s temperament risks provoking “reckless and dangerous global consequences.”