Michael Luttig, a prominent conservative and former federal judge appointed by President George H.W. Bush, has announced his endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election. This endorsement comes not because of shared policy views but due to a profound concern over what Luttig describes as former President Donald Trump's corruption of American democracy.
Luttig, who once held a respected position within conservative circles, has a long history in the Republican Party, having worked under the Reagan and Bush administrations and having been a law clerk for Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger and Antonin Scalia. His conservative credentials are well-established, yet his decision to publicly endorse a Democrat in a presidential election is unprecedented.
In a statement provided to CNN, Luttig made it clear that his endorsement of Harris is not based on agreement with her policy positions, which he assumes are vastly different from his own. Rather, his support is grounded in a deep-seated belief that the upcoming election transcends typical political considerations. Luttig expressed his view that the election is fundamentally about the preservation of democracy, the Constitution, and the rule of law-principles he believes Trump has undermined.
"In the presidential election of 2024, there is only one political party and one candidate for the presidency that can claim the mantle of defender and protector of America's Democracy, the Constitution, and the Rule of Law," Luttig wrote. "As a result, I will unhesitatingly vote for the Democratic Party's candidate for the Presidency of the United States, Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris."
Luttig's endorsement is a stark reflection of the deep divisions within the Republican Party, particularly between those who align with the Reagan and Bush-era principles and the modern, Trump-dominated GOP. Luttig, who played a crucial role in persuading then-Vice President Mike Pence to certify the 2020 election results, has since become one of the most vocal conservative critics of Trump. He has consistently argued that Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election through unlawful means pose a dire threat to the constitutional order.
Luttig's concerns are not just about Trump's past actions but about the ongoing impact of his rhetoric and behavior. In his statement, Luttig emphasized the dangers of Trump's continued, false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, which he believes have eroded public trust in the democratic process. "Because of the former president's continued, knowingly false claims that he won the 2020 election, millions of Americans no longer have faith and confidence in our national elections, and many never will again," Luttig stated. He warned that this loss of faith could have lasting, corrosive effects on American democracy.
Luttig's endorsement of Harris is part of a broader trend of prominent Republicans breaking ranks with their party in the face of Trump's influence. Other Republicans, such as former Representatives Joe Walsh, Barbara Comstock, and Adam Kinzinger, have also endorsed Harris. Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan recently endorsed her as well, describing her campaign as the best vehicle to prevent another Trump presidency.
Luttig's decision to support Harris is deeply personal and grounded in his moral convictions. Speaking to CNN, he expressed that his decision to endorse Harris was not made lightly but was a matter of knowing "right from wrong" and acting accordingly. "In my faith, we believe that we will one day answer for our wrongs. I have always tried to live my life in anticipation of that day. Imperfectly, to be sure. But I have tried," Luttig said, emphasizing that staying silent would have been wrong. "It's really that simple."
