Ex-Army Lieutenant General, Ex-Republican Votes for Kamala Harris

Former US Army Commanding General Ben Hodges expresses concerns over a potential second Trump presidency, having witnessed Trump’s authoritarian inclinations during his first term, and his involvement in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.

Born into a Republican family in Jacksonville, Florida, Hodges was a long-time Republican until he noticed a shift in the party’s values under Trump’s leadership. With this, he has shown support for Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of a prospective third election featuring Trump.

Flashing back to December 2022, Trump called for an end to the Constitution due to his claim of a rigged 2020 election. How does this resonate with you as a veteran and an American?

Lt. Gen. Hodges: Trump’s disregard for the Constitution, despite his oath to defend it, was shocking. What was equally concerning was the number of Americans who believed Trump’s false allegations of election fraud. This shows that the issue extends beyond Trump himself.

Why do you oppose Trump now and what implications would another Trump term hold for the nation?

Lt. Gen. Hodges: Trump’s disdain for our democratic processes and his incitement of violence on January 6th led me to dissociate myself from the Republican Party. His constant false claims about a stolen election, coupled with his refusal to accept electoral defeat, raises serious concerns about the future of our democracy under his potential return to power.

Why should active and veteran military members trust Vice President Harris if she is elected?

Lt. Gen. Hodges: Vice President Harris, as President, would undoubtedly uphold her constitutional oath and respect our institutions. Unlike Trump, there would be no concerns about her denying the results of an election. Additionally, her honesty and integrity would likely garner global trust, which is crucial to maintaining strong alliances.

Project 2025, a far-right plan for a second Trump term, proposes changes to healthcare for veterans. Do you have concerns about how this could impact the quality of veteran healthcare?

Lt. Gen. Hodges: Project 2025 concerns me. It’s evident that its authors, many of whom are part of Trump’s circle, view veterans’ benefits as negotiable. This could potentially jeopardize the healthcare and disability benefits millions of veterans currently rely on. The full details can be found here.

Project 2025 also proposes deploying the National Guard to detain undocumented immigrants. What impact could this have on our country?

Lt. Gen. Hodges: This proposal goes against our laws and traditions. Such a move could damage our nation’s image and place our armed forces in a difficult position. The responsibility of detaining undocumented immigrants should fall under law enforcement, not the military.

The Biden-Harris administration passed the PACT Act, providing health benefits to over a million veterans. How could Vice President Harris build on this success?

Lt. Gen. Hodges: A President Harris could highlight the PACT Act’s success and the Republicans who voted against it, challenging the narrative that Republicans are pro-defense or pro-veteran. This could be a significant factor in swaying the votes of conservative-leaning veterans.

What are your thoughts on Trump’s praise for authoritarian leaders and its implications for a potential second Trump term?

Lt. Gen. Hodges: Trump’s admiration for authoritarian leaders indicates his desire for absolute power. His tendencies, if unchecked, pose a grave danger to our democracy. This alone is reason enough to vote against him.

Could the US potentially withdraw from NATO under a second Trump term?

Lt. Gen. Hodges: While Trump was previously unable to withdraw from NATO due to legal restrictions, his return to office could still disrupt the alliance and its effectiveness. This would have detrimental effects on our international relationships and national security.