NSL4A Members Statement of Support for VP Kamala Harris
Released September 9, 2024
Vice President Kamala Harris is the best—and only—presidential candidate in this race who is fit to serve as our commander-in-chief. She has demonstrated her ability to take on the most difficult national security challenges in the Situation Room and on the international stage, from rallying our allies against Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine to standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies in the Indo-Pacific against China’s provocative actions, to advancing U.S. leadership on space and artificial intelligence. She is a steadfast supporter of service members, veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors. She has met with our service members all around the world, from NATO’s Eastern Flank to the Korean DMZ. She has spoken repeatedly about the extraordinary skill, discipline, and dedication of our armed services. And she will make sure the United States honors its sacred commitment to those who defend our freedoms and our way of life, including protecting the benefits they earned when they return from service.
Frankly stated, Donald Trump is a danger to our national security and our democracy. His own former National Security Advisors, Defense Secretaries, and Chiefs of Staff have said so. He continually disrespects those who serve in uniform, including wounded warriors, prisoners of war, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. He disparaged fallen heroes as “suckers” and “losers” and insulted the heroic service of the late Senator John McCain. At his core, he does not understand selfless service and sacrifice, and he should never be allowed to again serve as commander-in-chief of the greatest fighting force in the world.
He repeatedly fails to take responsibility for his own role in putting service members in harm’s way. Without involving the Afghan government, he and his Administration negotiated a deal with the Taliban that freed 5,000 Taliban fighters and allowed them to return to the battlefield. Then, he left President Biden and Vice President Harris with no plans to execute a withdrawal, and with little time to do so. This chaotic approach severely hindered the Biden-Harris Administration’s ability to execute the most orderly withdrawal possible and put our service members and our allies at risk. Nevertheless, President Biden with the support of Vice President Harris ended America’s longest war, oversaw the largest airlift in U.S. history, and brought our troops home.
Our service members and their loved ones deserve a President with the temperament and track record to serve as commander-in-chief. One who is willing to make tough decisions, who takes accountability, and who always has our back. That leader is Kamala Harris.
Admiral Steve Abbot, USN (Ret)
Brigadier General Steven M. Anderson, USA (Ret)
Major General Peter S. Cooke, USA (Ret)
General Larry R. Ellis, USA (Ret)
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps John L. Estrada, USMC (Ret), former Ambassador
Major General Randy Manner, USA (Ret)
Vice Admiral Dennis V. McGinn, USN (Ret), former Assistant Secretary of the Navy
General Lloyd W. Newton, USAF (Ret)
Major General Marilyn Quagliotti, USA (Ret)
Rear Admiral Michael E. Smith, USN (Ret)
