Former Republican Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has publicly endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris while warning of the dangers posed by former President Donald Trump.
Gonzales, who served as attorney general under President George W. Bush, didn’t mince words, calling Trump “perhaps the most serious threat to the rule of law in a generation.”
Why does Gonzales, a prominent figure from a previous Republican administration, feel the need to speak out now?
In an op-ed published in Politico, he pointed to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on presidential immunity and the growing concerns over Trump’s legal troubles.
According to Gonzales, the 2024 election is about more than policies; it’s about the character of the person we elect. And he believes Trump’s record should disqualify him from office.
Gonzales highlighted Trump’s multiple convictions and ongoing criminal cases as clear evidence that the former president has repeatedly failed to respect the law.
“These charges, convictions, and judgments show that Trump is someone who fails to act, time and time again, in accordance with the rule of law,” Gonzales wrote.
And here’s where it gets crucial—Gonzales argues that Trump’s history suggests he wouldn’t stay within legal boundaries if he were to regain the presidency.
He also took aim at Trump’s inability to earn endorsements from his own national security team, calling it “an indictment of his character” that’s just as serious as his legal indictments.
This critique comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that a sitting president is immune from criminal prosecution when carrying out core constitutional duties.
But Gonzales warns this immunity could allow a future president—like Trump—to take self-serving actions without legal repercussions.
You might be wondering: How would this play out if Trump were in office again? Gonzales doesn’t mince words.
“Power is intoxicating,” he wrote, explaining that based on Trump’s previous behavior, “it appears unlikely that he would respect the power of the presidency in all instances.”
Take the January 6th Capitol riots, for instance. Gonzales pointed to this event as the most damning example of Trump’s disregard for presidential duty.
Instead of intervening to protect lives and uphold democracy, Trump “just watched on television and chose not to do anything because that would have been contrary to his interests.”
Trump has even gone as far as to call that dark day “beautiful” and promised to pardon the rioters if re-elected.
Gonzales sees this as proof that Trump is willing to sacrifice the country’s well-being for his personal and political gains.
On the flip side, Gonzales acknowledged that some voters view Vice President Harris with skepticism. Sure, she might seem “too progressive” for some, and there are concerns about how she would steer policy.
But Gonzales firmly believes she’s the better choice. He praised her as someone “best suited, able, and committed to unite us in a manner consistent with the rule of law.”
He urged voters to place their trust in her judgment and character, noting that Harris represents a stable, democratic future—unlike the uncertainty surrounding Trump.
But this election, Gonzales warns, isn’t just about choosing between two personalities.
It’s about safeguarding America’s role on the world stage and protecting the nation’s democratic values.
Gonzales fears that another Trump presidency would weaken U.S. leadership in the fight against authoritarianism and increase the national debt, as was the case during his first term.
In a final sobering note, Gonzales reminded readers that Trump’s past actions and words leave little room for mystery. “There is little mystery or doubt about how Trump will act and govern based on past behavior and comments,” he concluded.
His stark warning makes one thing clear: this election is about much more than party lines—it’s about the future of American democracy.
The choice, Gonzales suggests, is clear: Do we prioritize integrity and democracy, or risk it all for personal power? That’s the question every voter will have to answer come November.
