Former Democrat Rep. Endorses Trump, Criticizes Biden-Harris Foreign Policy


In a surprising move, former Democratic Representative Peter Deutsch of Florida publicly endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election, citing deep dissatisfaction with the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of global conflicts.

Deutsch, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for six terms from 1993 to 2005, made his endorsement during a campaign call on Monday, commemorating the anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel. His decision to back Trump, a Republican, signals growing concerns even among some Democrats about the Biden administration’s approach to international crises.

Deutsch’s endorsement was particularly striking given his political background. Representing Florida’s 20th Congressional District, he had been a strong advocate for Democratic policies throughout his tenure in office. However, his sharp critique of the Biden administration reflects a broader unease over the current state of global security under the leadership of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

“I feel very comfortable today publicly announcing that I’m endorsing Donald Trump to be reelected as president,” Deutsch stated, according to The Hill. He emphasized that his decision was driven by concerns over global peace, which he believes has deteriorated under Biden’s leadership. “The driving force for me to make this decision is what I believe is the most important factor in being president, which is really world peace,” Deutsch said. “And I think that Kamala Harris and the Harris-Biden administration, in terms of what they have done and are doing, make the world a dramatically less safe place.”

Deutsch’s criticism centered on what he sees as a failure of leadership in addressing key international crises, particularly those involving the Middle East. He expressed concern that the current administration’s policies have emboldened hostile actors and failed to adequately support key U.S. allies, notably Israel. His endorsement of Trump comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, marked by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as increased instability in the broader region.

The Trump campaign quickly seized on Deutsch’s comments, using them to bolster their narrative that Biden and Harris have weakened America’s standing on the world stage.

The campaign specifically criticized the administration for its perceived weak stance toward Iran, a known backer of Hamas, and for what they argue is a failure to provide sufficient support to Israel in its fight against the Palestinian militant group.

Trump has long positioned himself as a staunch ally of Israel and has repeatedly accused Biden of being too lenient on Iran, whose influence in the region has been a major point of contention in U.S. foreign policy.

Republican lawmakers also chimed in, with Iowa Senator Joni Ernst offering a sharp critique of the Biden administration’s Middle East policy.

Ernst, who has been a vocal advocate for stronger U.S. support of Israel, marked the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks by lambasting Biden and Harris for what she called a “catastrophic” approach to the region.

Ernst pointed to actions such as the administration’s delisting of the Houthis as terrorists, criticism of Israel, and perceived appeasement of Iran as key factors contributing to the current instability in the Middle East.

“We’re seeing the consequences of their misguided policies in real-time,” Ernst said, referring to the ongoing conflict in Israel and the broader regional turmoil. Her comments echoed those of Deutsch, further highlighting the bipartisan concerns about the Biden administration’s handling of foreign affairs.

Recent developments have only intensified these critiques. On Friday, U.S. and British forces conducted airstrikes on over a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen.

The Houthis, a group backed by Iran, have long been a disruptive force in the Middle East, and their recent escalation of attacks on Israel, as well as threats to disrupt Red Sea shipping lanes, prompted swift military action from Western powers.

The strikes were in response to the Houthis’ increased military operations, including the downing of a U.S. drone. The situation in Yemen has become another flashpoint in the region, further complicating an already volatile landscape.

While the Biden administration has defended its approach to the Middle East, arguing that it is working to de-escalate tensions and maintain a balanced diplomatic approach, critics like Deutsch and Ernst are not convinced.

They argue that the administration’s policies have emboldened adversaries like Iran and undermined long-standing U.S. allies, leading to a more dangerous and unstable world.

As the 2024 election draws closer, foreign policy is likely to play a significant role in shaping the race. Trump’s campaign, bolstered by endorsements like Deutsch’s, will likely continue to focus on the administration’s perceived failures in handling global crises.

For Trump and his supporters, the argument is clear: Biden’s leadership has made the world less safe, and a return to Trump’s policies is needed to restore stability and security on the global stage.

Peter Deutsch’s endorsement is notable not just for its rarity—a Democrat backing a Republican—but for the broader concerns it represents. With global conflicts continuing to dominate headlines, particularly in the Middle East, the Biden administration is facing growing scrutiny over its foreign policy decisions.

Whether these criticisms will sway voters remains to be seen, but Deutsch’s endorsement of Trump is a clear sign that concerns about the current administration’s approach to global security are not limited to one side of the political spectrum.