Nearly 500 Former Security Advisers, Military Officials Endorse Joe Biden, Slam Donald Trump In Open Letter

Nearly 500 military officials, former ambassadors, and former national security advisors endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden in an open letter posted online.

“We are former public servants who have devoted our careers, and in many cases risked our lives, for the United States. We are generals, admirals, senior noncommissioned officers, ambassadors, and senior civilian national security leaders. We are Republicans, Democrats, and Independents. We love our country,” the letter said.

“Unfortunately, we also fear for it. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven America needs principled, wise, and responsible leadership. America needs a President who understands, as President Harry S. Truman said, that ‘the buck stops here.’

“We the undersigned endorse Joe Biden to be the next President of the United States. He is the leader our nation needs.”

The letter was also openly critical of President Donald Trump, saying he failed to rise to “meet challenges large or small” during his four years in office.

“The current President has demonstrated he is not equal to the enormous responsibilities of his office; he cannot rise to meet challenges large 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 says.

“Climate change continues unabated, as does North Korea’s nuclear program. The president has ceded influence to a Russian adversary who puts bounties on the heads of American military personnel, and his trade war against China has only harmed America’s farmers and manufacturers.

“Joe Biden has the character, principles, wisdom, and leadership necessary to address a world on fire. That is why Joe Biden must be the next President of the United States; why we vigorously support his election; and why we urge our fellow citizens to do the same.”

The list of signees includes 22 retired four-star generals and admirals, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, former secretary of defense Ash Carter, and secretary of state Madeleine Albright.

The letter is the latest example of the growing rift between Trump and military leadership. Tension between the two sides grew after The Atlantic’s report on Sept. 3 that Trump referred to servicemen who died fighting in World War I as “losers” and “suckers.”

“Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers,” Trump allegedly told staff members before he canceled a planned trip to Aisne-Marne American Cemetery outside Paris.

While Trump and the White House vehemently denied the accusations, it drew sharp backlash from military officials.

“I’m pretty unhappy with you, Mr. Trump. So I’m going to keep this short for your famous short attention span,” retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton said in a video addressing the comments. “You have shown disrespect to the military on countless occasions. I am stunned that anybody in the United States military would consider you anything but a ‘loser’ or a ‘sucker.’ You’re no patriot.”