50 Republican security experts reject Donald Trump

Group says tycoon lacks ‘basic knowledge’ of US policy.

In a blow to Donald Trump, a group of 50 Republican security experts, including former top spymasters and diplomats, has said the White House nominee would be a dangerous President and would put the country’s safety at risk.

But Mr Trump dismissed the charges by saying that these “Washington elites” should look for answers on why the world has become a mess.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the group of experts said, “None of us will vote for Donald Trump. From a foreign policy perspective, he (Mr Trump) is not qualified to be the President. Indeed, we are convinced that he would be a dangerous President and would put at risk our country’s national security and well-being.”

“Most fundamentally, Trump lacks the character, values, and experience to be President. He weakens the US’ moral authority as the leader of the free world,” said the letter which has been signed by individuals who served in senior national security and foreign policy positions in Republican administrations, from Richard Nixon to George W Bush.

The statement added that the 70-year-old business tycoon appears to lack knowledge about the US Constitution, US laws and US institutions, including religious tolerance and freedom of the press.