Happy Thursday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I’m Ellen Mitchell, and here’s your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill, and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter.
THE TOPLINE: More than 70 former National Security officials who have served under Republican administrations have endorsed Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, joining a wave of GOP votes casting their support behind the former vice president.
Officials have served under President Trump and former Republican presidents George W. Bush, George HW Bush and Ronald Reagan.
Who drew it: The group includes former Homeland Security Department chief of staff Miles Taylor, who in recent days has received attention for going public with his accounts of his interactions with Trump, as well as former CIA director Michael Hayden and former director of National Intelligence John Negroponte.
What they said“While we – like all Americans – had hoped that Donald Trump would rule wisely, he has disappointed millions of voters who have confidence in him and has shown that he is dangerously incapable of serving another term,” officials said in a statement. a statement.
For various reasons why the group supports Biden, they said Trump “undermined the rule of law” and “disrespected our army, intelligence agencies, and diplomats.”
The group said they ‘believe Joe Biden
Joe BidenHarris promises to fight for the ideal of the country by accepting VP nomination. Pelosi paints Trump and McConnell as twin voices to move forward. Democratic stars create unrest over attacks on Trump MORE has the character, the experience and the temperament to lead this nation. ”
“While some of us have policy positions that differ from those of Joe Biden and his party, the time will come later to debate policy differences. “For now, we need to stop Trump’s attack on the values and institutions of our nation and re-establish the moral foundations of our democracy,” she added.
Context: Their letter comes as the Democratic National Convention this week sought to highlight Republican support for Biden.
On Monday, the group of Republican voters against Trump released an ad in which Taylor called the Trump presidency “terrible” and said he felt compelled to vote for Biden this November “seeing what I experienced in the administration.”
Trump’s response: The president pulled out, calling Taylor a “former DISGRUNTED EMPLOYEE … that I do not know.” The former official responded by posting a photo of himself with Trump in the Oval Office.
TRUMP VOWS TO BRING ‘ALL’ US TROOPS HOME FROM IRAQ ‘BRIEF’: Trump on Thursday reiterated his plan to “briefly” withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq during a meeting with the county’s new prime minister.
‘We were there, and now we’re coming out. We will leave soon, “Trump told reporters at the White House.
“We have pulled our troops out of Iraq fairly quickly, and we look forward to the day we do not have to be there.”
When would this happen?: Trump – who met with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi as part of a larger discussion on paths to strong pro-Iran militias in the nation and against threats from Islamic State fighters – would not provide a timeline for a full withdrawal.
Impressed, Trump turned to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said US troops would leave “as soon as we can complete the mission.”
‘The president has made it very clear that he wants to bring our forces to the lowest level as soon as possible. That is the mission he has given us, and we are working with Iraqis to achieve that, “Pompeo said.
How many troops are there now: The US first invaded Iraq in 2003, leaving in 2011 but returning in 2014 to help stem the rise of the Islamic State. Today, there are about 5,200 U.S. troops in the country to train Iraqi troops and carry out missions against terrorism.
In violation of his generals: Trump’s remarks appear to be at odds with those of the top US general in the Middle East, who last month predicted that a small number of US troops would remain in Iraq in the foreseeable future.
“I believe they will move forward so that we will be with them,” said Navy General Kenneth McKenzie, head of the US Central Command, last month after meeting with al-Kadhimi.
McKenzie reiterated that sentiment last week, telling attendees at a U.S. Institute of Peace event that although the United States wants to shrink its troop footprint, “I just do not know when that will happen.”
Not resolved: The topic is unlikely to be covered on al-Kadhimi’s first trip to Washington this week, as senior Trump administration officials told reporters Wednesday that timelines for troop withdrawals will not be discussed in talks with the president.
TO TAP FOR TOMORROW
National Defense Industry Association will host a virtual “Space Warfighting Industry” forum, with Army General James Dickinson, Deputy Commander of US Space Command at 9:30 p.m.
ICYMI
– The Hill: Obama calls for Trump to use military force against Protestants
– The Hill: Negroponte supports Biden: He beats Trump on ‘character, compassion and life experience’
– The Hill: Opinion: Competing for influence in Beirut after explosion could lead to conflicts
– Defense News: To get more female pilots, the Air Force is changing the way it designs weapons
– The Washington Post: The Air Force’s new boss was not sure how the murder of George Floyd would be handled. Then he talks to his son.
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