If strength is needed, there is strength in numbers.
I am referring to the former officials who worked for Donald Trump, especially the national security officers, who refused to come forward publicly and directly to remind the voters that he is not fit to be president – although, as insiders know, that is the case. .
Opinion columnist
Jackie Calmes
Jackie Calmes brings a critical eye to the national political scene. He has decades of experience in the White House and Congress.
Imagine the power of a pre-election press conference where Trump’s senior advisers stand shoulder-to-shoulder to deliver the message, each giving a direct example of their job. What could tip some undecided voters against Trump than a former military leader, on national TV, testifying about his disregard for the Constitution, the rule of law and America’s national interests? President George W. Bush, 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, among others, should participate, too. We know what he thinks about Trump. It’s time to endorse Kamala Harris.
There, 10 retired military officers, including six former generals and two admirals, released a letter where he not only condemned Trump but also endorsed Harris as “the best — and only — presidential candidate in this race who is fit to be our commander-in-chief.” Trump, he wrote, “is a danger to our national security and our democracy. Former National Security Advisor, Secretary of Defense, and Chief of Staff have said.
The Harris campaign is exploiting the unprecedented panache of former Trump aides. It trolled Trump pre-debate with new ad on Fox News, featuring condemnatory clips from Vice President Mike Pence, former national security adviser John Bolton, former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. In that debate, Harris guest including two outspoken Trump veterans, White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci and national security official and Pence aide Olivia Troye. And in the debate, he said, “If you want to know the true path of the former president…
The letter, the ad, Harris’ trolling — that’s all well and good, but we need to hear clearly from the White House, Cabinet and military figures who actually see and talk to Trump on a regular basis. As I mentioned before, no president in US history has been condemned by so many who are part of his inner circle.
Some, including retired Lt. Gen. HR McMaster, a former White House national security adviser, have written critical books but refused to say outright, “Voters, beware!” Others, including Milley and former White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly, have been sources for damning books and articles but have mostly remained silent. Still others, including former director of national intelligence and former Sen. Dan Coats, who personal trouble that Trump was somehow beholden to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has been all silent. (And then there are Trump’s critics in the party, notably former Atty. Gen. William P. Barr and former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley, who say they will vote for him because he is the Republican nominee.)
McMaster is one of the most frustrating. Last month, McMaster promoted his latest book, “At War with Ourselves: My Tour of Duty in the Trump White House.” toward CBS News that Trump is “disgusting”, refuses to prepare, makes contradictory decisions “just to humiliate” his advisers, “addicted to adulation” and creates an “environment of competitive sycophancy.” He said Mattis and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson viewed Trump as a danger to US interests. McMaster said he disagreed, though he volunteered that Trump “sees authoritarian leaders,” especially Putin, “qualities that others want to see in him.” It is not dangerous?
Trump’s actions in encouraging the Jan. 6 attack on Congress and disrupting a peaceful transition of power are “abandoning responsibility to the Constitution,” McMaster said. But when asked if Trump was fit to hold office again, he replied: “That’s a decision for the American people to make.” He wouldn’t say how he voted, though allowed the chaos he said “doesn’t reflect what we can expect in a second Trump administration.”
McMaster, the author of a book on leadership, should have mobilized the SOS news conference. What stopped him and the others?
In fairness, the military veterans among them are full of a culture of respect for the civilian government and commander in chief. It is very severe against any action that interferes with politics. But he served in a civilian role and saw Trump as most Americans could not. It is a patriotic duty to speak.
Another possible reason is this: It’s clearly documented that taking on Trump causes him to attack, which in turn causes him to attack. threats of violence from his most rabid supporters. Romney, the only Republican senator to vote twice for Trump’s impeachment charges, last year revealed that he spends $5,000 a day on security. Most people, including former government VIPs, may not be able to afford it.
There are other disturbing factors. Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, once a Trump Republican, has spoken with some of them “boneless wonder” who remains offstage. “I’m just going to spill the beans,” he said on a recent Bulwark podcast: “A lot of these people, now they’re making money, OK?” – consulting for private equity firms and defense contractors, e.g. If the paymaster fears that a vengeful Trump will soon become president, his rejection of his former boss will make him “responsible.”
But, Kinzinger added, as if speaking to the sick: “You look at this stuff and you really care about the future of the country? I mean, you have to speak out! This is like at the most important moment.”
Kinzinger was hoping for an 11 o’clock surprise. So were we all.
@jackiekcalmes
