Additional Coverage:
Retired four-star General Larry Ellis, who previously served under the administration of George W. Bush, has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, as disclosed in a letter that ABC News has exclusively obtained.
Notably, this endorsement marks the first time General Ellis, the former commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, has supported a presidential candidate.
He emphasized the gravity of his decision, stating it was both necessary and not made lightly.
In the same letter, Ellis criticized former President Donald Trump, condemning his suitability as Commander-in-Chief and accusing him of both undermining the United States by empowering its adversaries and disparaging U.S. military personnel. Ellis suggested that the behavior exhibited by Trump, if replicated by any military service member, would lead to immediate removal and discharge from their duties.
In related news, more than 200 Republican staffers, previously affiliated with George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, or the late John McCain, also threw their support behind Harris in another letter, which was initially revealed by USA Today and later obtained by ABC News. This endorsement came as part of a broader appeal aimed at moderate Republicans and conservative independents in pivotal swing states, urging them to support Harris in the upcoming November elections, despite acknowledged ideological differences.
The endorsement efforts coincided with an attempt by Donald Trump to reconnect with U.S. service members on the third anniversary of the Afghanistan withdrawal—an event marred by a bombing that resulted in the death of 13 U.S. service personnel. At a conference in Detroit, Trump lambasted the Biden administration’s handling of the withdrawal, linking Harris to the policy failures and declaring a loss of U.S. credibility and respect worldwide.
Responding to Trump’s remarks, Harris’ campaign spokesperson Ammar Moussa defended the Vice President’s capabilities and leadership, highlighting the chaotic situation the Biden-Harris administration inherited regarding Afghanistan. Moussa criticized Trump’s failure to end America’s longest war during his tenure, reaffirming that Vice President Harris remains a trusted leader on global issues.