Saying Trump 'drifted away' from Constitution, Colin Powell picks Biden

By Joseph Ax and Susan Heavey

 

FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell (R) takes part in an onstage interview with Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson (L) at the Washington Ideas Forum in Washington, September 30, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

 

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former Secretary of State Colin Powell on Sunday endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, joining a growing chorus of Republicans and military leaders criticizing Republican President Donald Trump amid nationwide protests.

 

Powell, a Republican who led the U.S. military during the 1991 Gulf War in Iraq under President George H.W. Bush and later headed the State Department under President George W. Bush, said Trump "lies all the time," has "drifted away" from the U.S. Constitution and poses a danger to American democracy.

 

"I cannot in any way support President Trump this year," Powell, who did not vote for the Republican president in 2016, told CNN.

 

The criticism comes as the nation faces a trio of crises: widespread protests over police violence against black men and women, the coronavirus pandemic and a sharp economic downturn. It is rare for Republicans to criticize Trump directly, and more so for members of the military establishment, who typically stay out of politics.

 

Trump's former defense secretary, retired General Jim Mattis, last week denounced what he called Trump's "deliberate" efforts to divide the country. Former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairmen Michael Mullen and Martin Dempsey have also criticized Trump's handling of the unrest.

 

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski said last week that she was "struggling" with whether to support Trump's reelection, while Republican Senator Mitt Romney praised Mattis' words.

 

The New York Times reported on Saturday that George W. Bush would not vote for Trump, citing sources close to the only living Republican former president.

 

Many of the Republicans now criticizing Trump also did not vote for him in 2016.

 

Former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell on Sunday endorsed Democratic former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, becoming the first major Republican to publicly back Donald Trump's rival ahead of November's election. This report produced by Yahaira Jacquez.

 

Since his victory, Trump has secured an iron grip on Republican loyalty. Former critics including Senators Lindsay Graham and Rob Portman have become ardent backers.

 

Several Republican groups have formed to oppose Trump's reelection, including a super PAC, the Lincoln Project, and a new initiative called Republican Voters Against Trump, which last week kicked off a $10 million digital ad campaign.

 

"There are legions of privately concerned Republicans in Washington," said Tim Miller, who advised Republican Jeb Bush's 2016 presidential campaign and helped launch Republicans Voting Against Trump.

 

"That doesn't do a whole lot for me. If you're not willing to say it, you may as well put on the red hat," he added, referring to Trump's signature campaign baseball cap.

 

Powell said he would vote for Biden, going a step further than some other Republicans who have said they do not support Trump but have not backed his Democratic rival.

 

"I haven't voted for him, so I'm not going to start now, but that's a different question from actively supporting Biden," said Mark Sanford, the former Republican South Carolina governor who mounted a brief primary challenge to Trump last year.

 

The public denunciations from figures including Powell and Murkowski could sway more Republicans, Sanford said.

 

"When these dominoes start to fall, they can fall a lot faster than people think," he said.

 

Trump, who has been critical of the Iraq war, in a tweet called Powell "a real stiff."

 

(Reporting by Joseph Ax and Susan Heavey; Additional reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Daniel Wallis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-08

 

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"Several Republican groups have formed to oppose Trump's reelection, including a super PAC, the Lincoln Project, and a new initiative called Republican Voters Against Trump, which last week kicked off a $10 million digital ad campaign."

 

Going to see lots of tweeting tantrums from Trump in the coming days, should be fun but do check the facts in case anything he says may be incorrect.

Colin Powell fell on his sword and eviscerated his soul when he CHOSE to do the bidding of the immoral powers that shouldn't be when he lied to the world about WMD's in Iraq. He's yet another pathetic order following automoton... And this needs to be re-iterated, voting for the lesser of two evils (the current broken two party duopoly in America) is still voting for evil. The now completely immoral, defunct, evil political system in America is an abomination. 

Edited June 7, 20206 yr by Tounge Thaied

29 minutes ago, Thailand said:

"Several Republican groups have formed to oppose Trump's reelection, including a super PAC, the Lincoln Project, and a new initiative called Republican Voters Against Trump, which last week kicked off a $10 million digital ad campaign."

 

Going to see lots of tweeting tantrums from Trump in the coming days, should be fun but do check the facts in case anything he says may be incorrect.

Anything to say about the OP or just having a rant?

 

Pity that a once respected General has decided to attack the POTUS. Nothing to stop him supporting Biden of course.

IMO Powell blew it when he told the UN a load of wrong information about WMD. He should have kept his silence, IMO.

1 minute ago, Tounge Thaied said:

Colin Powell fell on his sword and eviscerated his soul when he CHOSE to do the bidding of the immoral powers that shouldn't be when he lied to the world about WMD's in Iraq. He's yet another pathetic order following automoton... And this needs to be re-iterated, voting for the lesser of two evils (the current broken two party duopoly in America) is still voting for evil. The now completely immoral, defunct, evil political system in America is an abomination. 

I wanted to use the word "LIED" in my previous post, but decided not to. Thanks for doing so.

I agree with everything you wrote.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"drifted away" from the U.S. Constitution and poses a danger to American democracy.

Diplomatic understatement. trump has had his foot to the pedal for quite a while undermining US institutions.

 

Currently a ground swell of ex military officers speaking out against trump - well said by Powell

Yep, as others pointed out Colin Powell lost all standing when he couldn't muster the balls to stand up to the neocons. He should be at Arlington every Sunday on his hands and knees begging for forgiveness from the soldiers who died fighting a lied-up war.

He is a horrible president since three year and a horrible person since a lot longer.

It's good that finally even some GOP politicians speak up against him. But what took them so long?

The GOP should apologize for supporting Trump for so long. Tell him to <deleted> off. Choose another candidate to be president for the next years. Even the GOP must have a least a couple of people who are better than Trump.

6 minutes ago, Why Me said:

Yep, as others pointed out Colin Powell lost all standing when he couldn't muster the balls to stand up to the neocons. He should be at Arlington every Sunday on his hands and knees begging for forgiveness from the soldiers who died fighting a lied-up war.

Trump is the only recent president not to be invading other nations willy-nilly. The death tolls of some of these misadventures by "good" US presidents are in the millions and the chaos and power vacuums left causes many more. Yet Powell uses his voice to attack the President of peace. A president whos only crime is wanting to make America great again, bring back jobs, make the economy resilient. Says it all. Powell will never feel any responsibility for the death and destruction he caused.

This word from Powell bodes well.  It means if he loses a legitimate election and refuses to leave there are people within the military, active and retired, who will not be sitting on their thumbs, as will the congressional GOP.

 

 

 

Edited June 7, 20206 yr by bendejo

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

He is a horrible president since three year and a horrible person since a lot longer.

It's good that finally even some GOP politicians speak up against him. But what took them so long?

The GOP should apologize for supporting Trump for so long. Tell him to <deleted> off. Choose another candidate to be president for the next years. Even the GOP must have a least a couple of people who are better than Trump.

Many GOP politicians dislike Trump as much as you, but if they want to get re elected better not speak out.

Anyone has the right to stand for GOP presidential candidate. If they don't it's probably because they know he's going to win.

4 more years.

1 minute ago, bendejo said:

if he loses a legitimate election and refuses to leave

7 minutes ago, bendejo said:

It means if he loses a legitimate election and refuses to leave

Serious irony here. Remember it is the left that refuses to consent to losing the 2016 election, which is causing the problems we are in the middle of. Your divisive rhetoric consisting of far fetched conspiracies like Trump colluding with Russia which caused rightful winner Hillary to lose, and he didn't win the popular vote, and we will remove him before the next election by any foul means. This fake narrative led to the anger and confusion we are now witnessing. Shame on you guys for falsely accusing Trump of what you are guilty of yourselves.

Edited June 7, 20206 yr by TopDeadSenter

4 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

6 minutes ago, bendejo said:

if he loses a legitimate election and refuses to leave

Unfortunately there is nothing to laugh about. The option exists and is scary.

1 minute ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Unfortunately there is nothing to laugh about. The option exists and is scary.

Where do you guys get these strange ideas from? If Trump loses he has no authority to give orders as POTUS once the legitimate POTUS is sworn in. The only way he could remain as president would be if the military carried out a coup, and how likely is that? No man ever in the history of humanity has become a dictator without support of influential people and the military/ secret police.

Powell took a giant leap away from the Constitution when he lied to justify the war in Iraq. 

Just now, TopDeadSenter said:

Serious irony here. Remember it is the left that refuses to consent to losing the 2016 election, which is causing the problems we are in the middle of. Your divisive rhetoric consisting of far fetched conspiracies like Trump colluding with Russia which caused rightful winner Hillary to lose, and he didn't win the popular vote, and we will remove him before the next election by any foul means. This fake narrative led to the anger and confusion we are not witnessing. Shame on you guys for falsely accusing Trump of what you are guilty of yourselves.

Wrong, wrong and wrong.

Trumps team worked together with Russia. There is enough evidence for that. GOP Senators ignoring the evidence does not mean it does not exist.

Hillary did lose - according to the US voting system. It's time to review a system in which a person has the majority of votes can still lose.

DEMs impeached Trump because of what he did. I am sure most GOP politicians know that he should have been removed but 99% of them had no spine to face the truth and speak up. Finally a few of them speak up. Good.

 

Do you really pretend that Trump did a good job especially in the last months? I understand that you won't vote for Biden even if you think Trump did a bad job. But be realistic here. Trump is a nightmare and likely he will be worse and if he has another 4 years he will get a lot worse. Is that what you want?

I'm curious if Powell ever mentioned WHAT constitutional violations Trump made.  Seems like he just tossed off that allegation and no one is questioning it.

 

 

4 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Where do you guys get these strange ideas from? If Trump loses he has no authority to give orders as POTUS once the legitimate POTUS is sworn in. The only way he could remain as president would be if the military carried out a coup, and how likely is that? No man ever in the history of humanity has become a dictator without support of influential people and the military/ secret police.

Here is just one of those articles:

 

Trump's use of the military backfired – but will it back him if he refuses to go?

Robert Reich

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/07/donald-trump-military-mattis-mullen-george-floyd-protests

 

1 minute ago, jimmybcool said:

I'm curious if Powell ever mentioned WHAT constitutional violations Trump made.  Seems like he just tossed off that allegation and no one is questioning it.

How about not using the US military inside the USA?

The press is full of articles about it. You just have to read...

....drifted away from US Constitution?

I laugh when rich people trying to teach me about real life in America or any other country for this matter.

10 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Here is just one of those articles:

 

Trump's use of the military backfired – but will it back him if he refuses to go?

Robert Reich

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/jun/07/donald-trump-military-mattis-mullen-george-floyd-protests

 

IMO it's just anti Trump forces whipping up hysteria based on BS. I'm guessing, but I doubt R Reich has ever supported Trump.

The military swears to the constitution, not an ex president, which Trump becomes the instant the new POTUS takes over.

 

However, expect a lot more of the BS "Trump will refuse to leave the W H if he loses" media pieces as the election comes nearer. They've tried everything else to get rid of him and failed. IMO they may now be trying to whip up support for a coup against him when he wins.

Edited June 7, 20206 yr by thaibeachlovers

41 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I agree what he did with the fake evidence to start the Iraq war was very bad. But I think I remember before that he was well respected.

very bad ? an understatement to say the least. the decisions and words that this man chose to speak directly resulted in the death of over 1 million human beings. 

 

 

15 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO it's just anti Trump forces whipping up hysteria based on BS. I'm guessing, but I doubt R Reich has ever supported Trump.

The military swears to the constitution, not an ex president, which Trump becomes the instant the new POTUS takes over.

 

However, expect a lot more of the BS "Trump will refuse to leave the W H if he loses" media pieces as the election comes nearer. They've tried everything else to get rid of him and failed. IMO they may now be trying to whip up support for a coup against him when he wins.

Did you hear Trump ranting about fake votes for all those people who want to vote by mail?

It seems the evidence show there is no problem with those votes. Now why do you think Trump brings this up all the time?

2 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Did you hear Trump ranting about fake votes for all those people who want to vote by mail?

It seems the evidence show there is no problem with those votes. Now why do you think Trump brings this up all the time?

At the end of the day it's all publicity and any publicity is better than none.

His base would certainly believe in the fake votes thing.

3 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Now why do you think Trump brings this up all the time?

He wants only US citizens (that are still alive) to vote? The other side of this coin, is why do democrats want open borders and no immigration controls, and why create so called sanctuary cities? It's all about the votes.

4 minutes ago, TopDeadSenter said:

He wants only US citizens (that are still alive) to vote? The other side of this coin, is why do democrats want open borders and no immigration controls, and why create so called sanctuary cities? It's all about the votes.

Nonsense, Democrats don't want open borders and no immigration control.

1 hour ago, Thailand said:

Going to see lots of tweeting tantrums from Trump in the coming days, should be fun but do check the facts in case anything he says may be incorrect.

 

We are going to see a lot of posting tantrums from our Trump rollers here on TV.  That is when they magically morph over from their current incarnations as advanced amateur epidemiologists and macro economic analysts. 

While I am glad that he finally spoke, he is one of the big liars about WMDs in Iraq and he has lost my trust.

 

Colin Powell has zero credibility. Nobody pays any attention to this failed man. 

If a tree falls in the forest... 

Edited June 8, 20206 yr by metisdead
Miss-spelling of Colin's name corrected.