Ten retired US military officers, in a letter released today, publicly expressed their support for the country’s presidency, Kamala Harris, saying that the current vice president is the only presidential candidate capable of serving as the commander-in-chief of the US armed forces. while simultaneously characterizing her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, “a danger to our national security and democracy”.

The letter, signed by retired General Larry Ellis and retired Rear Admiral Michael Smith, among others, states Trump’s statements disparaging military personnelwhile reference is made to his own “chaotic approach” to Afghanistan, before the US withdrawal. In Trump’s “chaotic approach” to Afghanistan, they also refer to the negotiation (by the Trump administration) of an agreement with the Taliban that allowed the release of 5,000 fighters of the organization and their return to the battlefield.

Instead, the retirees write, Harris “has proven her ability to tackle the toughest national security challenges in the Situation Room and on the international stage,” from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to tensions with China in the Indus – Peaceful.

“Harris is the best — and only — presidential candidate in this race capable of serving as our Commander-in-Chief,” the Harris campaign wrote in the letter published to X.

According to polls, the battle between the current Democratic vice president and Trump in the presidential election on November 5 is predicted to be lopsided, in an electoral contest that is often referred to as the future of American democracy.

The release of the letter coincided with a new Harris campaign ad released ahead of Tuesday night’s debate between the two candidates. The campaign ad features former Trump administration officials warning that a second Trump term poses great risks.

“In 2016 Donald Trump said he would only choose the best people to work in his White House. Now, these people have a warning for America. Trump is not fit to be president again, his vice president fears,” the ad says. It includes videos of statements from Trump’s former Vice President Mike Pence, former Secretary of Defense Mike Esper, former National Security Adviser John Bolton and former Chief of Staff of the US Armed Forces, General Mark Milley.

The letter also comes a day before a congressional ceremony is held in their honor 13 soldiers killed in chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Trump and Republicans blame the administration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris for withdrawing from Afghanistan.

The retired servicemen, in their letter, accused Trump of “failing to take responsibility for his own role in harming members of the military,” pointing to the deal struck by the then-Trump administration to release Taliban fightersan agreement reached without the involvement of the Afghan government. The ten retirees also accuse Trump of leaving no plan for withdrawing from Afghanistan after his term ends with his defeat in the 2020 presidential election.