This series lists prominent Republicans, Trump appointees and veterans of previous Republican presidencies now speaking out against Trump. We show what they are saying.
This is part 44. For earlier episodes, click on Alan Austin, above, and scroll down the page. Easy.
Click on the name for the source of the quote.
281. Rear Admiral John Kirby (Retired), served as senior naval commander under all presidents from Reagan to Obama:
“There are two conversations going on in this country. One is on race relations and the criminal justice system and how it treats African-Americans. There’s also another conversation over civil military relations and the use of the military in support of domestic law enforcement purposes and the degree to which this president has continued to politicize military missions and operations.” [4 June, 2020]
282. Alan Steelman, Republican ex-congressman for Texas:
“Although President Trump was clear that he desired funding for the border wall, the Congress did not appropriate it. Indeed, the government partially shut down for more than a month over this issue. The president should not be able to circumvent Congress’s considered decision not to provide requested funding simply by invoking an emergency. That is not how our Constitution vests power.” [25 February, 2019]
283. Michael Anne Johnson, lifelong Republican in Ohio, assistant US attorney in the Department of Justice in Cleveland:
“You see indictments of some of Trump’s friends and colleagues for false statements in connection with the investigation. In Roger Stone’s case for intimidating witnesses. But these two individuals - Trump and Barr - basically conspired to get rid of these cases after they were terminated so that none of these people had to go to jail or have any negative repercussions in their lives. A shame. Now is the time to put principles first and say we are going to restore the rule of law.” [August, 2020]
284. David Hopkins, lifelong Republican in Colorado:
“Trump is too inexperienced. You need people who are studious and able to understand the issues and the long term effects of what these laws will do to our society. What we have in the White House right now is a government being run by actors and businessmen.” [August, 2020]
285. Lieutenant General Walt Gaskin, United States Marine Corps (Retired):
Together with:
286. Rear Admiral Michael E. Smith, US Navy (Retired):
Together with:
287. Major General Donna Feigley Barbisch, USA (Retired):
“We have devoted our careers, and in many cases risked our lives, for the United States. We love our country. 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. The current President has demonstrated he is not equal to the enormous responsibilities of his office.” [24 September, 2020]
And from the archives:
288. Edward Weber, Republican ex-congressman for Ohio:
Together with:
289. Peter Smith, Republican ex-congressman for Vermont:
"In nominating Donald Trump, the Republican Party has asked the people of the United States to entrust their future to a man who insults women, mocks the handicapped, urges that dissent be met with violence, seeks to impose religious tests for entry into the United States, and applies a de facto ethnicity test to judges.” [10 June, 2016]
To be continued ...
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A neat compilation of ex-military chiefs condemning Donald Trump was published here at Independent Australia recently:
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/us-military-leaders-line-up-to-condemn-commander-in-chief-trump,14328