As a series of former high ranking government officials are declaring their opposition to President Donald Trump, a spokesperson for former President George W. Bush is denying a report that said he would not vote for Trump.
The New York Times reported on Saturday that several Republicans, including Bush, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, would not support Trump.
However, Freddy Ford, a spokesperson for Bush, told the Texas Tribune, “This is completely made up.”
He added, “He is retired from presidential politics and has not indicated how he will vote.”
While Bush’s spokesman denied that the former president had decided not to support Trump, Powell told CNN’s “State of the Union” that he will vote for the Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
“I certainly cannot, in any way, support President Trump this year,” Powell said.
He continued, “I’m very close to Joe Biden in a social matter and in a political matter. I’ve worked with him for 35, 40 years. And he is now the candidate, and I will be voting for him.”
Romney refused to comment on whether or not he will support Trump. Speaking to reporters, he said, “I’m not going to be describing who I’ll be voting for.”
The Times report which implied that Republicans might start to defect from Trump comes amid criticism over the federal government’s handling of protesters who had gathered in Lafayette Square and Trump’s threat to deploy the U.S. Military to cities to help quell violent demonstrations.
Last week, several former high ranking military officials spoke out to condemn Trump for suggesting he would deploy the military domestically, as IJR reported.
Former Defense Secretary James Mattis broke his silence and blasted Trump in a statement. He wrote, “Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people—does not even pretend to try. Instead, he tries to divide us.”
“He must reject and hold accountable those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution. At the same time, we must remember Lincoln’s ‘better angels,’ and listen to them, as we work to unite,” he added.
After Mattis’ statement, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said the statement was “true and honest and necessary and overdue.”
She added, “When I saw Gen. Mattis’ comments yesterday I felt like perhaps we’re getting to the point where we can be more honest with the concerns we might hold internally and have the courage of our convictions and speak up.”
Murkowski also indicated that she was struggling to decide whether or not she will support Trump in the general election. She said, “I am struggling with it. I have struggled with it for a long time.”
