A conservative commentator on Monday called out Donald Trump's former officials who have expressed grave concerns about his fitness to serve as president but have not stepped forward to endorse Kamala Harris.
Several Republicans, including former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan and former congressman Adam Kinzinger, spoke at the Democratic National Convention. But The Bulwark's Tim Miller questioned why they weren't joined by higher-ranking former Trump officials.
"There are two options for president," Miller wrote. "On the one hand you have a woman who just presented herself as a mainstream Democrat who plans to respect and uphold the fundamental American political traditions at home and abroad.
"On the other you have a candidate who you have acknowledged is the most flawed person you have ever encountered, a danger to the country, and an existential threat to our system of government — a convicted criminal, an abuser of women, and a moron," he added. "How in God’s name do you justify silence in the face of that choice? This is not a close call!"
Miller ticked off a series of damning assessments by Trump's former chief of staff, secretary of defense, secretary of state and other high-ranking officials and advisers casting doubt on his intelligence, integrity and mental health.
"Some of these people might be making calculations about their political futures," Miller wrote. "If so, that’s utterly craven. But take the morality out of it: It’s also ridiculous. None of these folks have a political future as long as Trump is around."
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"As for most everyone else marked absent on my attendance sheet, they are nearing — or already in — retirement," he added. "They have no GOP future to speak of. So what’s the holdup?"
Miller recognized their possible concerns about personal safety, saying he's received threats after criticizing Trump himself, but he suspects their concerns are much more mundane.
"These people aren’t endorsing Harris because they don’t want to deal with the hassle," he said.
"The bleats from Trump. The media requests. The chastising emails from their MAGA friends (or spouses, in a few cases)," Miller added. "Getting an earful at the club every time Kamala does something that conservatives don’t like. Maybe they have a board position or another influence-peddling gig that’s dependent on their status as a Republican in Good Standing. Dealing with all that is a pain in the ass. Doing nothing is easy."
But he said there aren't normal times, and Miller argued that those who know Trump best had an obligation to voice their concerns and take action to oppose him.
"Donald Trump engineered the first non-peaceful transfer of power in our country since the Civil War," Miller wrote. "In a second term, he would be unleashed to act on his worst impulses, having cast off all of those who dared try to check him."
"The clock is ticking," he added. "It's not too late for these people to heed their better angels. Donald Trump must be stopped. It is incumbent upon everyone who sees this clearly—and who played a part in getting us here — to speak out and deal with the personal ramifications. Frankly, it’s the least we should expect of them."
