50 GOP officials: Trump endangers US national security

US Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump would put in danger the United States’ security, warn 50 top Republican national security officials.

The officials issued their warning Monday in a letter which was signed by aides and Cabinet members of past GOP administrations including George W. Bush's and Richard Nixon's.

“Mr. Trump lacks the character, values, and experience to be president,” the letter reads, adding he “would put at risk our country’s national security and well-being.”

The letter also declared that, “None of us will vote for Donald Trump,” according to the New York Times.

Among the officials are Michael Hayden, former director of both the CIA and National Security Agency; Michael Chertoff, former Secretary of Homeland Security for Bush and President Obama; John Negroponte, former director of national intelligence under Bush; Tom Ridge, former homeland security director under Bush in addition to former governor of the battleground state of Pennsylvania; as well as others who have worked as trade representatives, national security advisers and ambassadors.

The officials said the GOP nominee “appears to lack basic knowledge about the belief in the US Constitution, US laws, and US institutions, including religious tolerance, freedom of the press, and an independent judiciary.”

Some other top Republicans have also declared they will not vote for the business mogul, but instead will support his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

On Monday, Lezlee Westine, an aide to former president Bush, said she will support Clinton.

Westine, who worked as the White House director of the office of public liaison and as a deputy assistant to Bush, said she will support Clinton.

“Our nation faces a unique set of challenges that require steady and experienced leadership," Westine said. "That is why today I am personally supporting Hillary Clinton. She has the expertise and commitment to American values to grow the economy, create jobs and protect America at home and abroad."  

Meanwhile, Trump on Monday announced his new economic plan as part of which he said he would slash taxes, block onerous financial regulations and unleash the energy sector.

"We are in a competition with the world, and I want America to win," Trump told the Detroit Economic Club. "I want to jump-start America. It can be done, and it won't even be that hard."

Trump’s campaign has been marked by a lot of controversies including his remarks against Muslims and immigrants to the US.

This is while Clinton's lead  over Trump is significantly growing in recent polls in the run-up to the 2016 US presidential race.

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