Thursday, 489 former national security officials announced their endorsement for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in an open letter.
What We Know:
- 489 former national security officials demonstrated that party affiliation is less important than the values and principals of a presidential candidate when they announced in a signed open letter that they were endorsing Joe Biden.
- The signatories include admirals, senior noncommissioned officers, senior civilian national security leaders, ambassadors, and retired generals with different ideologies and party affiliations. Retired Air Force Gen. Paul Selva, who had previously served as vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs under President Donald Trump, signed the letter as well.
- “While some of us may have different opinions on particular policy matters, we trust Joe Biden’s positions are rooted in sound judgment, thorough understanding and fundamental values,” the letter said. “We know Joe Biden has the experience and wisdom necessary to navigate America through a painful time.” The letter also said that Trump is unable to rise to any challenges, whether big or small. “Thanks to his disdainful attitude and his failures, our allies no longer trust or respect us, and our enemies no longer fear us,” the letter adds.
- Biden was also endorsed by the group “Republicans and Independents for Biden,” headed by former Republican New Jersey Gov. Christine Todd Witman. The group consists of former lawmakers, including former Republican governors. Whitman said that the purpose of the group is to “defeat Donald Trump and elect Joe Biden the next President of the United States”.
- Trump did receive support from 235 retired U.S. military leaders who published an open letter last week, claiming their support for the president’s re-election and saying that this election is important. The letter added that “with the Democratic Party welcoming to socialists and Marxists, our historic way of life is at stake” and the Democrats hate towards the police and plans to cut military spending leaves the country vulnerable to foreign enemies.
The letter does not include Trump calling the fallen heroes from World War I “losers“.
