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Inside the Minds of GOP Insiders: The Unspoken Fears of Working for Trump

 

Opinion: Republicans Who Worked With Trump Share Their Concerns


Wisconsin state Senator Robert Cowles expresses, ‘We must defeat Trump to safeguard the Constitution.’

Those who identify as conservatives and independents need not focus on the fears expressed by liberals like myself regarding Donald Trump’s potential return to the presidency. While our concerns are numerous, they are somewhat predictable.

 

Instead, attention should be directed toward the Republicans who are genuinely worried about the implications of another Trump victory. This group is substantial and increasing, and their concerns are anything but predictable.

Their statements are particularly striking. I do not recall a time when such a significant number of prominent figures within a political party openly dissociated from their own party’s presidential nominee. Yet, with Trump, this phenomenon is becoming increasingly common.

Key Republican Figures from Swing States Support Harris

 

Recently, influential former U.S. Representative Fred Upton of Michigan, a Republican with 36 years of Congressional experience, endorsed Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, stating that Trump is “totally unhinged.” He emphasized the need for stability and progress over chaos.

 

Likewise, long-serving Wisconsin Republican Senator Robert Cowles announced his intentions to vote for Harris, declaring: “We need to defeat Trump and uphold the Constitution. The country will persist even if Harris takes some liberal actions.” He stressed the importance of having a solid constitutional foundation to maintain democracy.

 

This marks a significant moment with two Republican leaders from crucial swing states publicly opposing Trump and supporting Harris, just weeks ahead of the election.

 

Trump’s Former VP Remains Neutral

When discussing the reluctance of Republicans to support Trump, one must consider former Vice President Mike Pence. In March, Pence stated that he could not morally align himself with Trump’s campaign.

Pence remarked on Fox News, “It should be evident that I will not be endorsing Donald Trump this year.”

 

This revelation often surprises many: Trump’s own former vice president considers him unfit for office, primarily due to Trump’s attempts to overturn the election and the near-violent incidents on January 6, 2021. Such concerns should raise alarms for the electorate.

But Pence is one of many who feel this way.

Former Generals Speak Out on Trump’s Fitness

This week, news emerged regarding retired four-star Marine General John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff. He accused Trump of envying the generals of Adolf Hitler and stated that Trump often claimed Hitler “did some good things.”

 

Kelly also asserted that Trump aligns with the general characteristics of fascists.

 

A recent book by Bob Woodward highlights that retired General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, labeled Trump “fascist to the core.”

 

Mark Esper, who served as Secretary of Defense under Trump, expressed to CNN on January 6 that he perceives Trump as a significant threat to democracy and the foundational institutions that uphold America’s democratic values.

Voting for Kamala Harris in 2024: A Patriot’s Choice

 

Stephanie Grisham, who was the White House press secretary during Trump’s presidency, publicly supported Harris at the Democratic National Convention this summer, stating that Trump lacks “empathy, morals, and a commitment to the truth.”

Former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, a lifelong Republican, also spoke at the DNC, proclaiming, “Let me be clear for my Republican friends watching: If you choose to vote for Kamala Harris in 2024, you are not a Democrat. You are a patriot.”

 

Alyssa Farah Griffin, who worked as the communications director in the Trump White House, expressed her concerns to ABC News last December, saying: “A second Trump term could fundamentally threaten American democracy, and I say that with great concern. I worry about what such a term would entail.”

Cheneys and former Bush attorney general? Not really leftists.

In September, Alberto Gonzales, the former U.S. Attorney General and counsel under President George W. Bush, wrote in Politico: As we approach a pivotal election, I cannot stay silent as Donald Trump – potentially the greatest danger to the rule of law in decades – aims for a return to the presidency. Thus, despite being a Republican, I’ve chosen to back Kamala Harris for president.”

Both former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, ex-U.S. Representative Liz Cheney, who are staunch conservatives, have criticized Trump and supported Harris.

 

Over 200 Republicans who previously worked for former President George W. Bush, Senator Mitt Romney, and the late Senator John McCain signed an open letter in August endorsing Harris instead of Trump.

 

The letter stated, “While we have many honest ideological differences with Vice President Harris, the alternative is simply unacceptable.”

There’s not enough space to list all GOP supporters of Harris

I could continue to mention Republicans warning against the dangers Trump poses, but I lack the space and time to do so. This situation alone should disqualify Trump.

As we near the end of this campaign, I hope voters recognize the urgent warnings, including those coming from liberals like myself, who believe that a second Trump term would be disastrous.

More importantly, I hope they heed the voices of those who served Trump, who understand him best, and share the same party allegiance, as they raise the same warnings and illuminate the threats.

 

The concern about Trump is significant, transcending party lines in our increasingly divided country. This alone should resonate with voters. I genuinely hope it does.