A group of powerful Republicans with decades of service in Washington D.C. have thrown their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris' presidential campaign, the conservative network Fox News was first to report.
Twelve White House lawyers who represented former presidents Ronald Reagan's, George H.W. Bush's and George W. Bush's administrations endorsed Harris over former President Donald Trump, whom they dubbed a danger to the nation.
"We endorse Kamala Harris and support her election as President because we believe that returning former President Trump to office would threaten American democracy and undermine the rule of law in our country," the lawyers wrote in a letter obtained by Fox News.
"We urge all patriotic Republicans, former Republicans, conservative and center-right citizens, and independent voters to place love of country above party and ideology and join us in supporting Kamala Harris."
Among the signatories is Michael Luttig, the conservative judge who made headlines earlier this week with his historic decision to back a democrat over Trump.
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"I am proud to join my colleagues and friends in this endorsement," Luttig wrote on X. He extended thanks to Harris and to Fox News.
Luttig was joined by former White House attorneys John Bellinger, Benedict Cohen, Peter D. Keisler, Robert M. Kruger, John Mitnick, Alan Charles Raul, Nicholas Rostow, Peter J. Rusthoven and Wendell L. Willkie, according to Fox News.
The twelve attorneys represent a small portion of Republicans who say they'll cross the aisle to ensure Trump does not reclaim the White House in 2025.
Former Vice President Mike Pence has refused to endorse Trump and former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan (R-GA) and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) went so far as to give speeches supporting Harris in the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week.
John Bolton, Trump's National Security Adviser said publicly the former president is "not fit" for office. While former Attorney General Bill Barr echoed these sentiments, he has effectively endorsed the president anyway.
"Donald Trump’s own Vice President and multiple members of his Administration and White House Staff at the most senior levels – as well as former Republican nominees for President and Vice President – have already declined to endorse his reelection," the letter states. "Trump’s own Attorney General and National Security Adviser have said unequivocally that Donald Trump is unfit for office, dangerous, and detached from reality."
