Washington — Former Legal professional Normal Alberto Gonzales on Thursday endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president, writing in an op-ed of the “critical risk” Donald Trump poses to the rule of regulation.
“As america approaches a important election, I can not sit quietly as Donald Trump — maybe probably the most critical risk to the rule of regulation in a technology — eyes a return to the White Home,” Gonzales wrote in an op-ed in Politico Journal. “For that motive, although I am a Republican, I’ve determined to assist Kamala Harris for president.”
Gonzales, who served as legal professional common below George W. Bush’s administration and as White Home counsel, drew on his expertise to argue that Harris is the “greatest suited, ready and dedicated to unite us in a way in keeping with the rule of regulation,” citing her appearances on the Democratic Nationwide Conference final month and on the talk stage this week.
The previous legal professional common, who resigned as legal professional common in 2007 amid accusations that he had lied in entrance of Congress and a scandal over the firing of 9 U.S. attorneys, argued that the “character of the particular person we elect in November” is of specific significance as a result of members of Congress “have confirmed spectacularly incapable or unwilling to test abuses of government energy.”
He famous that whereas the Supreme Courtroom has the power to test presidential energy, the excessive courtroom’s latest ruling within the presidential immunity case “would possibly enable a president to take official actions for private, self-serving causes.”
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“Energy is intoxicating and based mostly on Trump’s rhetoric and conduct it seems unlikely that he would respect the ability of the presidency in all cases; reasonably, he would abuse it for private and political achieve, and never on behalf of the American folks,” he added.
Gonzales cited the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol as one of many “most revealing” examples of Trump’s conduct, saying the previous president “didn’t do his responsibility” that day. The previous legal professional common additionally pointed to the convictions and prison fees Trump faces, saying they “present that Trump is somebody who fails to behave, time and time once more, in accordance with the rule of regulation,” and casting doubt on whether or not he “has the integrity and character to responsibly wield the ability of the presidency throughout the limits of the regulation.”
On Harris, Gonzalez mentioned that People do not know precisely how she is going to govern, saying voting for the vp would require People to place their “religion in her character and judgment.” However he added that Harris “has sworn constancy to the rule of regulation” in her function as a prosecutor and California legal professional common — a document that he mentioned “reveals a transparent dedication to pursuing justice.”
The endorsement comes as quite a few distinguished Republican officers have backed Harris in latest days, together with former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Rep. Liz Cheney, his daughter.
