In a surprising political shift, J. Michael Luttig, a retired federal appellate judge renowned for his role in advancing the conservative legal movement, has publicly declared his support for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. This marks the first time in seven decades that Luttig will not back a Republican candidate.
A Change of Heart
Luttig’s endorsement of Harris reflects his growing discontent with former President Donald Trump, whom he has increasingly criticized for his actions related to the January 6 insurrection. Notably, Luttig has stated that Trump may not even be eligible to run for president again due to the Insurrection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. His decision to support Harris was previously announced in August but gained further clarity through an op-ed published in The New York Times.
In this op-ed, Luttig condemned Trump for his recent statements suggesting he would use military force against political opponents, labeling them as “liberals” and “the enemy within.” He wrote, “There could be no higher duty of American citizenship than to decisively repudiate a man who betrayed the nation when he was previously entrusted with the highest office in the land.” Luttig described Trump as the first president in American history to “so betray America.”
Historical Context
Throughout his career, Luttig played a significant role in shaping the current conservative Supreme Court, notably by assisting in the confirmation of Clarence Thomas. Reflecting on Trump’s presidency, Luttig stated that Trump “drove a stake through the heart of America’s democracy and Constitution” during the January 6 events. He accused Trump of inciting insurrectionists and attempting to overturn the presidential election results, which he acknowledged Trump lost to Biden.
Luttig’s strong condemnation of Trump culminated in an assertion that Trump holds the “ignominious distinction” of being the first president charged with crimes against the United States since the nation’s founding.
The Stakes of the Election
In concluding his op-ed, Luttig outlined the critical nature of the upcoming election. He declared that Kamala Harris is the only candidate who can be trusted to uphold the Constitution, the rule of law, and the principles of American democracy. He emphasized that her commitment to these ideals is a stark contrast to the rhetoric and actions of Trump.
“Ms. Harris is the only candidate who can be trusted to honor the president’s sacred obligations to America’s democracy,” he noted. He stated that Harris has consistently urged Americans to “stand up for the rule of law” and for the “Constitution of the United States,” something he believes Trump has never done and will never do.
