'He would be the most reckless president in
American history': Republican national
security experts AGAIN warn against Trump
in the White House
Fifty GOP national security experts - who worked for President Nixon to George W. Bush - wrote a letter warning voters against Donald Trump
'None of us will vote for Donald Trump,' said the letter, signed by Bush's first two DHS secretaries, Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff
This is the second time that Republican national security experts have joined forces against Trump, having penned a letter in March as well
By Nikki Schwab, U.s. Political Reporter For Dailymail.com
Fifty GOP national security leaders have pledged to never back Donald Trump, releasing a scathing letter today labeling the Republican nominee as having the potential to be 'the most reckless president in American history.'
'None of us will vote for Donald Trump,' the letter announced.
It was signed by brand names in the national security realm including former CIA and NSA head Michael Hayden and the first two secretaries charged with leading the Department of Homeland Security, Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff.
The letter, which was first reported by the New York Times, began with a quick explanation of who all was represented – Republicans from every GOP administration stretching back to President Richard Nixon and extending to President George W. Bush.
'From a foreign policy perspective, Donald Trump is not qualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief,' the letter warned.
'Indeed, we are convinced that he would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our country's national security and well-being,' it continued.
The experts noted a difference between Trump and politicians in the past who weren't well-versed in the world.
'Unlike previous Presidents who had limited experience in foreign affairs, Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating himself,' the note pointed out.
'He continues to display an alarming ignorance of basic facts of contemporary international politics,' it continues. 'Despite his lack of knowledge, Mr. Trump claims that he understands foreign affairs and "knows more about ISIS than the generals do."'
If the letter seems like deja vu, that's because the right-leaning national security community has joined forces before, with 60 experts signing a letter in March warning voters that a Trump presidency would make 'America less safe' and 'diminish our standing in the world.'
Chertoff was among those who signed that letter as well.
Voters seemingly shrugged off the warning as Trump continued to win by huge margins in the primaries, including by nearly 19 points in Florida, where a home state son, Sen. Marco Rubio, was also on the ballot.
Now with the general election in full swing – and with a larger, more moderate voter base to sway – Trump's actions finally seem to be impacting his poll numbers.
Last week's squabble with the Muslim-American parents of a soldier who was killed in Iraq seemed to damage Trump's numbers, putting Clinton nearly double-digits ahead.
Though a Reuters-Ipsos poll that came out Friday indicated the race could still be close.
The national security experts pleaded with the American people in the final paragraph of the screed.
'We understand that many Americans are profoundly frustrated with the federal government and its inability to solve pressing domestic and international problems,' the letter said.
'We also know that many have doubts about Hillary Clinton, as do many of us,' the cohort of Republicans added.
'But Donald Trump is not the answer to America's daunting challenges and to this crucial election,' they warned. 'We are convinced that in the Oval Office, he would be the most reckless President in American history.'
