In a significant turn of events, more than 100 former national security officials from Republican administrations and former Republican members of Congress have endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. The endorsement comes as these officials have concluded that their party's nominee, Donald J. Trump, is "unfit to serve again as president."

The signatories of the letter endorsing Vice President Harris include a wide range of prominent figures, such as former members of Congress, defense secretaries, C.I.A. directors, and other national security officials. The letter, addressed to the public, outlines their reasons for endorsing Harris despite any disagreements they may have on policy issues.

The key argument made by the Republicans is that while they may have differing views on policy with Vice President Harris, they firmly believe that President Trump has demonstrated dangerous qualities. They highlight his "unusual affinity" for dictators like President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and his "contempt for the norms of decent, ethical, and lawful behavior."

The letter further condemns President Trump for promoting chaos in government, praising enemies, undermining allies, politicizing the military, and disparaging veterans. The former officials accuse him of prioritizing personal interests above American interests and betraying core values, democracy, and the country's founding principles.

One significant moment highlighted in the letter is President Trump's incitement of the mob attack on the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The signatories argue that he violated his oath of office and brought danger to the country. They even quote his own former vice president, Mike Pence, who emphasized that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.

The endorsement letter follows the recent announcement by former Vice President Dick Cheney, along with his daughter, former Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, that they would be voting for Vice President Harris. Notably, the Democratic National Convention last month showcased several anti-Trump Republicans, including former Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.

Among the 111 signatories are numerous former officials who served under Republican presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. The list includes former defense secretaries Chuck Hagel and William S. Cohen, former C.I.A. directors Michael V. Hayden and William H. Webster, as well as former Gov. William F. Weld of Massachusetts.

Interestingly, some Republicans who did not sign a similar letter endorsing Joe Biden in 2020 have signed this endorsement letter for Vice President Harris. These include former House members such as Charles W. Boustany Jr. of Louisiana, Barbara Comstock of Virginia, Dan Miller of Florida, and Bill Paxon of New York.

While the letter acknowledges concerns about certain positions advocated by the left wing of the Democratic Party, it emphasizes that any potential concerns about Vice President Harris "pale in comparison to" those associated with President Trump.

This endorsement by a significant number of former Republican national security officials further underscores the divisions within the party and the growing discontent with President Trump's leadership. It remains to be seen how this endorsement will impact the upcoming elections and the broader political landscape.