A group of 10 senior retired US military officials have endorsed US Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for president, saying in a statement that she is the “only candidate” fit to serve as commander in chief, while calling her Republican opponent Donald Trump a “threat to national security and democracy.”
The statement, signed by retired General Larry Ellis and retired Rear Admiral Michael Smith, among others, mentions the then-Trump administration's “chaotic approach” to Afghanistanbefore the withdrawal USA from that country in 2021.
Retired military officials write that Kamala Harris has “demonstrated her ability to take on the most difficult national security challenges,” including in the international arena, from the invasion Russia on Ukraine after the tension from China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Harris 'the best and only candidate'
“Harris is the best – and only – presidential candidate in this race qualified to serve as our commander in chief,” the retired military officials wrote in the letter.
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At the same time, they blamed Trump for “failing to take responsibility” for decisions regarding American soldiers in Afghanistan during his presidency, “exposing them to danger.”
During the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, 13 American service members and thousands of Afghans who worked with the United States were killed.
The accusations run mostly along party lines. Republicans point fingers at Biden administration for hasty US withdrawal. Democrats, including White House, blame Trump administration for making deal with Taliban that led to withdrawal.
Trump-Harris debate
The Harris-Trump debate will take place on Tuesday, September 10. It will begin promptly at 9 p.m. Eastern Time (3 a.m. September 11 in Poland). It is hosted by ABC News and will be moderated by David Muir and Linsey Davis – host of the news program “World News Tonight.”
The whole thing will last 90 minutes and will be interrupted by two advertising blocks.
Main image source: PAP/EPA