The one problem right here was limiting myself to 10 arguments towards Donald Trump (and one good motive to vote for Kamala Harris). So, drum roll, working towards No. 1:
10: As president, he violated his oath to “protect, defend and defend the Structure.”
Ask Mike Pence, who forfeited his place as Trump’s ticket mate to Ohio Sen. JD Vance as a result of Pence wouldn’t violate the Structure; Vance would. Even after leaving workplace, Trump referred to as for terminating components of it so he might regain energy. Nobody ought to suppose he’d maintain the oath if given a second likelihood, particularly when the Supreme Courtroom that he packed has ruled that presidents are nearly immune from prosecution.
9: He nonetheless received’t say that he’ll settle for the voters’ verdict.
And that’s nonetheless unprecedented. Trump has gravely eroded People’ religion within the elections which might be elementary to democracy. He lied after his 2016 victory within the electoral faculty that he misplaced the favored vote solely as a result of as much as 5 million folks voted illegally for Hillary Clinton. His efforts to flip his 2020 loss to Joe Biden acquired him criminally indicted, one other first.
8: He shall be held accountable for his alleged crimes as president provided that he’s defeated.
If reelected, Trump can order “his” Justice Division to bury the 2 federal circumstances that he succeeded in delaying previous the election — the Washington trial for allegedly attempting to overturn the 2020 election, and the case in Florida for allegedly making off with and hiding high authorities secrets and techniques. A 3rd case in Georgia, state costs for trying to subvert its 2020 vote for Biden, might nicely be shelved if he had been again in workplace.
7: He’d be the primary president with a critical rap sheet.
Trump has been discovered responsible or answerable for sexual abuse, defamation, civil financial fraud and felony business fraud to hide a tryst with a porn star. He’s additionally the primary president to be impeached twice, justifiably. Character counts: Voters shouldn’t rent for president somebody who wouldn’t be employed by any personal employer within the land.
6: He’s unfit to be president.
Take it from scores of former high advisors, including nearly half of the 42 people who served in Trump’s Cupboard. The early Cupboard members he as soon as referred to as “my generals”? James N. Mattis, H.R. McMaster and John F. Kelly all broke with their former commander in chief. Even those that again Trump have damned him: Former Atty. Gen. William Barr said Trump “shouldn’t be anyplace close to the Oval Workplace” and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley referred to as him “unhinged.” Let these two shape-shifters put get together over nation to vote for Trump. Voters shouldn’t.
5: He’s a risk to nationwide safety.
Trump is “probably the most harmful particular person to this nation,” Mark A. Milley, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Workers, says in Bob Woodward’s new e book. He’s extra more likely to be seduced by murderous autocrats than stand as much as them. He’s poised to appease struggle felony Vladimir Putin and reward Russia’s lawless invasion by abandoning Ukraine. Woodward reviews that Trump has had seven calls with Putin since leaving workplace, suggesting a treacherous willingness to undermine allies’ assist for Ukraine, Europe’s safety and U.S. alliances typically. He encouraged Russia to do “regardless of the hell they need” to NATO members who miss protection spending targets. As International Affairs reported: “His first time period examined the transatlantic relationship — however his second would break it.”
4: He doesn’t know or care find out how to constructively handle the nation’s issues.
Probably the most policy-ignorant candidate in reminiscence, Trump turned to the extremists behind Project 2025 for a blueprint, although he denies it now. Deal maker? He lacks the eye span, grasp of particulars and spirit of compromise to enact bipartisan legal guidelines. In a Wall Road Journal survey, most economists predicted that inflation, rates of interest and deficits can be a lot increased underneath his proposed tax cuts and tariffs than underneath Harris’ insurance policies. (And, no, Trump’s tariffs wouldn’t cut child-care costs.) He had Republicans kill an immigration invoice to maintain the difficulty alive for his demagogic marketing campaign. His answer: “bloody” deportations of tens of millions of migrants.
3: He’d additional pack the federal courts with right-wing ideologues.
To verify his picks, Trump can be helped, once more, by what is anticipated to be a Republican-majority Senate. Once more, he’d select younger nominees to serve for many years: “You don’t put outdated in, as a result of they’re there for 2 years or three years,” he said final week. The Supreme Courtroom’s far-right justices, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito Jr., would probably retire so Trump might seat much-younger, like-minded replacements.
2. He’s a pathological liar.
Trump’s constant lies vary from the comparatively innocent to life-threatening. Residents of Springfield, Ohio, endured faculty and hospital closures amid bomb threats after Trump lied that Haitian migrants would eat their pets. Federal hurricane responders within the South had been threatened after Trump lied concerning the Biden administration rescue effort. Native governments are spending tax {dollars} to guard nonpartisan election staff. People distinguished and obscure have been compelled to get security towards loss of life threats after Trump’s mendacious assaults. However extra prosaically: Residents ought to count on fact from their presidents.
1. He was not, and wouldn’t be, a president for all People.
Not MAGA? Unfit. Trump talks of withholding catastrophe help from blue states. He assails Democrats, different home critics and the free press as “the enemy inside,” topic to attainable army motion.
Lastly, the bonus, a constructive motive to vote Harris. She’s not solely among the many most skilled candidates for the job ever, but additionally: She’s not Trump.