WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 300 former national security professionals—many of whom have served administrations of both parties—today issued a public statement commending the Congressional impeachment inquiry and encouraging vigorous efforts to ascertain additional facts and hold President Trump to account, as warranted.
“As national security professionals, many of us have long been concerned with President Trump’s actions and their implications for our safety and security. Some of us have spoken out, but many of us have eschewed politics throughout our careers and, as a result, have not weighed in publicly,” the statement began.
The signatories added: “The revelations of recent days, however, demand a response.” They further noted that they “applaud those Members of Congress, including Speaker Pelosi, who have now started us down that necessary path.”
Those who signed the statement include a former Deputy Secretary of State, two former Under Secretaries of State, a former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, several career ambassadors, and other veterans of the Intelligence Community, the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Council staff, and other national security and foreign policy Departments and Agencies.
In explaining their reasoning for speaking out, the signatories wrote: “Having worked across administrations of both parties to uphold and advance those national interests, we consider the President’s actions to be a profound national security concern.” They also noted the implications of inaction: “If we fail to speak up—and act—now our foreign policy and national security will officially be on offer to those who can most effectively fulfill the President’s personal prerogatives.
