Two former GOP members of Congress have announced their endorsement of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
They also cited an anonymously-sourced report in the Atlantic that claimed Trump disparaged members of the military, despite the reporting being widely challenged by numerous on-the-record sources.
“Our nation’s national security is best built by peace through strength. America is stronger when we stand together with the free democracies of the world against dictatorships. We are proud of our service members and humbled by those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause of liberty. That is why we were so troubled by reports that Trump called fallen American military heroes ’suckers’ and ‘losers,’” Djou and Edwards said.
“It disappoints us that he has threatened to withdraw from the Western alliance of NATO and needlessly picks fights with international democracies. Yet Trump professes kinship with dictators such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and even expressed love for North Korean despot Kim Jong Un.”
“Civility is a trait of inner character and self-confidence. That is why we are so disturbed by Trump’s name-calling and childish taunting, his penchant for conspiracy theories, and his embrace of conspiracy websites, all of which reflect a disturbing paranoia. Donald Trump may pretend to be heir to the great Republican tradition that appealed to us both but he is no Republican,” they added, writing later, “Joe Biden is not a perfect man, but he is a man of humble decency.”
Djou left office in 2011. Edwards left office in 1993.
Other Republicans have endorsed Biden, including Cindy McCain, the widow of late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), former Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), and Rick Snyder, the former Michigan governor.
Trump, on the other hand, has earned support from some Democrats, including Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-N.J.), who left the Democratic Party last year, and Georgia Rep. Vernon Jones.
Tim Murtaugh, communications director for Trump’s campaign, said in a statement sent to The Epoch Times, “Joe Biden has been a failure in the Washington Swamp for a half century, so no one should be surprised when Swamp creatures gather to protect one of their own.”
“President Trump has unprecedented support—over 95 percent—among real Republican voters and is also making strong inroads in Biden’s core Democrat constituencies, like Black Americans, Latinos, and union members,” he added. “President Trump’s record of success for all Americans will carry him to victory in November.”
