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There is a long list of former allies and aides who have opposed or been opposed by former President Donald Trump.
No one in American politics, certainly no recent president, has such a list of high-profile allies turned enemies.
Retired Marine Gen. John Kelly, the longest-serving White House chief of staff, offered an incredible rebuke of President Trump’s character and leadership. statement on record To CNN’s Jake Tapper.
Both the campaign and court proceedings could prompt even more people to speak out, given that Trump is the front-runner for the 2024 Republican nomination and also faces multiple criminal charges. be.
What follows is not intended to be an exhaustive list, but rather a selection of President Trump’s most notable biographies by former aides and senior officials who chose to work for him in the White House at some point. It is a catalog. Some people are currently actively campaigning against him. Three people are running against him in the presidential primary. Some have remained relatively quiet after resigning in protest. Each name link contains more context.
1. his vice president, mike pence: “The American people have a right to know that President Trump has asked me to prioritize my oath to the Constitution. … No one who would prioritize themselves over the Constitution should ever be President of the United States.”
2. Second Attorney General Bill Barr: “Anyone who engaged in such bullying regarding a process that is fundamental to our system and our autonomy should not be anywhere near the Oval Office.”
3. James Mattis, first Secretary of Defense: “Donald Trump is the president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people, who does not even pretend to try to unite them. Instead, he is trying to divide us.”
Four. Second Secretary of Defense Mark Esper: “I think he is unfit for office. … He puts himself before the country. All his actions are about himself and not about the country. And of course he has integrity and I think it’s also a matter of personality.”
Five. Retired General Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, seemed to be evoking Trump. “We don’t swear an oath to a would-be dictator. We swear to the Constitution, we swear to the idea of America, and we’ll risk our lives to protect it.”
6. First Secretary of State Rex Tillerson: “[Trump’s]understanding of world events, his understanding of world history, his understanding of U.S. history was really limited. Having a conversation with someone who doesn’t even have a concept of why we’re talking about this.” It’s really difficult.”
Andrew Haller/Pool/Getty Images)
Then-Secretary of State Rex Tillerson looks on at then-President Donald Trump during a ceremony commemorating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks at the Pentagon on September 11, 2017.
7. Nikki Haley, first ambassador to the United Nations: “He used to be good at foreign policy, but now when it comes to Ukraine he’s starting to backslide and go weak in the knees. Something terrible happened on January 6th, but he didn’t let it go. I called it a great day.”
8. Chris Christie, Vice Chairman for Presidential Transition Affairs: “The kind of people I’m claiming right now are just acting for themselves.”
9. HR McMaster, second National Security Adviser: “We have seen a lack of leadership, indeed anti-leadership, and what that does to our country.”
Ten. John Bolton, third national security adviser: “I think (foreign leaders) think he’s a laughing fool.”
11. Second Chief of Staff John Kelly: “A man who has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our constitution, and the rule of law. There is nothing more to say. God help us.”
12. Mick Mulvaney, former acting chief of staffwho resigned as US special envoy to Ireland after January 6, 2021, said: “I resigned because I don’t think he could have been president at a time when we were asking him to be president.” Ta.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
President Trump and then-acting chief of staff Mick Mulvaney attend a luncheon with representatives of the United Nations Security Council at the White House on December 5, 2019.
13. Anthony Scaramucci, one of many former communications directors: “He’s a 21st century domestic terrorist.”
14. Stephanie Grisham, another former communications director.: “I’m afraid he’ll run in 2024.”
15. his education secretary, Betsy DeVos;He resigned after January 6th: “Looking at what’s happening on January 6th, what can the president do to intervene and reverse the situation, slow it down, or really address the situation?” It was just that I wasn’t doing anything.” It was clear to me that I couldn’t continue. ”
16. Minister of Transportation Elaine ChaoHe resigned after January 6th. “What happened at one point was such that given my personal values and philosophy, it was impossible for me to continue.
17. His Navy First Secretary Richard Spencer: “…the president doesn’t know what it means to be in the military, what it means to fight ethically, or what it means to be governed by a uniform set of rules and practices.” I barely understand it.”
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Acting Secretary of Defense Richard Spencer listens to President Trump’s speech at a Cabinet meeting on July 16, 2019.
18. his first homeland security adviser, Tom Bossert;: “The president has spent months baselessly undermining American democracy. As a result, he is responsible for this siege and is an utter disgrace.”
19. his former personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen;: “Donald is an idiot.”
20. His White House Counsel Ty Cobb: “Trump persistently makes claims that are not true.”
twenty one. Alyssa Farrar Griffin, former Director of Strategic Communications, “We can support policy, but we can’t support this person at this point,” said the now CNN political commentator.
twenty two. Omarosa Manigault Newman, Chief of Staff for African American Outreach;: “Donald Trump attacked a civil rights icon and a professional athlete, went after a grieving black widow, claimed there were good people on both sides, and supported an accuser of child sexual abuse. . Donald Trump and his decisions and actions were harming the country. I couldn’t be a part of it anymore.
This madness. ”
Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
On July 21, 2022, former White House deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews arrived to testify before the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Cannon House office building.
twenty three. Former Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Matthews, He, who resigned after January 6th, said: “I thought he did a lot of good things in four years. His actions on January 6th, his actions leading up to it, his actions afterward, and continuing to push the lie that the election was stolen. I think that makes him totally unfit to hold public office again.”
twenty four. Last Chief of Staff, Cassidy Hutchinson: “I think Donald Trump is the most serious threat we will face to our democracy in our lifetimes and potentially in American history. ”