Republican White House Lawyers Endorse Harris, Cite Trump's Threat to Democracy

A dozen Republican White House lawyers have thrown their support behind Vice President Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency, citing former President Donald Trump's threat to American democracy and the rule of law.

A group of 12 Republican White House lawyers who served under former Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in her race against GOP nominee Donald Trump.

In a letter shared first with Fox News Digital, the lawyers expressed their belief that "returning former President Trump to office would threaten American democracy and undermine the rule of law in our country."

Republican White House Lawyers Endorse Harris, Cite Trump's Threat to Democracy

"We endorse Kamala Harris and support her election as President because we believe that returning former President Trump to office would threaten American democracy and undermine the rule of law in our country," the letter reads.

The signatories include prominent right-of-center legal scholar and retired federal appeals court judge Michael Luttig, who previously served as assistant counsel to the president in the Reagan White House.

Republican White House Lawyers Endorse Harris, Cite Trump's Threat to Democracy

The letter notes that "Donald Trump’s own Vice President and multiple members of his Administration and White House Staff at the most senior levels – as well as former Republican nominees for President and Vice President – have already declined to endorse his reelection."

The lawyers point to the "profound risks presented by his [Trump's] potential return to public office," citing his attempt to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after his 2020 election loss to President Biden.

Republican White House Lawyers Endorse Harris, Cite Trump's Threat to Democracy

"Trump’s attempt to prevent the peaceful transfer of power after losing the election proved beyond any reasonable doubt his willingness to place his personal interests above the law and values of our constitutional democracy," the letter states.

The signatories also argue that "Trump is utterly disqualified" due to his "grave wrongdoing" against the Constitution, democracy, and rule of law. They add that they cannot "go along with other former Republican officials who have condemned Trump with these devastating judgments but are still not willing to vote for Harris."

Republican White House Lawyers Endorse Harris, Cite Trump's Threat to Democracy

The Harris campaign has made efforts in recent months to court Republican voters disaffected with Trump. During the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the campaign showcased Republicans who are supporting the vice president, including former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and former Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.

Trump has significantly transformed the Republican Party since his first presidential win in 2016, turning it into a party dominated by the populist wing of his supporters known as MAGA (Make America Great Again).

* John B. Bellinger III, Senior Associate Counsel to the President and Legal Adviser to the NSC under George W. Bush

* Phillip D. Brady, Deputy Counsel to the President under Reagan

* Benedict S. Cohen, Associate Counsel to the President under Reagan

* Peter D. Keisler, Associate Counsel to the President under Reagan

* Robert M. Kruger, Associate Counsel to the President under Reagan

* John M. Mitnick, Associate Counsel to the President and Deputy Counsel, White House Homeland Security Council under George W. Bush

* Alan Charles Raul, Associate Counsel to the President under Reagan and General Counsel, OMB under Reagan and George H.W. Bush

* Nicholas Rostow, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs and Legal Adviser to the NSC under Reagan and George H.W. Bush

* Peter J. Rusthoven, Associate Counsel to the President under Reagan

* David B. Waller, Senior Associate Counsel to the President under Reagan

* Wendell L. Willkie II, Associate Counsel to the President under Reagan