Donald Trump hits back at “failed Washington elite” foreign policy experts who brand him reckless
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has hit out at a "failed Washington elite" that warned against electing him to the White House.
Trump said the 50 Republican foreign policy experts are attempting to hold on to power after they wrote an open letter warning that the billionaire would be "the most reckless president" in US history.
Trump said that the individuals who signed the letter are those who the American people should look to for answers on why the world is in such a dire state.
"We thank them for coming forward so everyone in the country knows who deserves the blame for making the world such a dangerous place," he said.
"They are nothing more than the failed Washington elite looking to hold on to their power and it's time they are held accountable for their actions."
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The group of security experts, including former CIA director Michael Heyden, said Trump is lacking in "character, values and experience" to take on the role of president.
The letter read: "The undersigned individuals have all served in senior national security and/or foreign policy positions in Republican Administrations, from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush. We know the personal qualities required of a President of the United States.
"None of us will vote for Donald Trump."
"Trump has demonstrated repeatedly that he has little understanding of America’s vital national interests, its complex diplomatic challenges, its indispensable alliances, and the democratic values on which U.S. foreign policy must be based. At the same time, he persistently compliments our adversaries and threatens our allies and friends."
The letter points out he lacks moral authority or temperament to be commander-in-chief, drawing attention to how he would have command of the US nuclear arsenal.
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The letter comes after Trump gave an economic speech yesterday in which he aligned his tax policies with the wider Republican party.
However, Trump failed to mention how he would fund such cuts, worrying economists that the deficit could soar. He has called for a huge increase in infrastructure spending that would be financed by new debt, though details are at current unclear.
Asked by Fox last week how much he would spend on infrastructure, he said: “Well, I would say at least double her numbers, and you're going to really need more than that. We have bridges that are falling down. I don't know if you've seen the warning charts, but we have many, many bridges that are in danger of falling.”
Pressed on how it would be paid for, Trump said: “We'll get a fund. We'll make a phenomenal deal with the low interest rates."
He added that the finance will be provided by: “People, investors. People would put money into the fund. The citizens would put money into the fund,” and adding that he will use “infrastructure bonds from the country, from the United States.”
With taxes falling and the spending to be debt-financed, questions have been raised about his commitment to reducing the national debt.