Former Secretary of State Colin Powell says he no longer identifies as a Republican following the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
During an interview on Sunday (January 10), CNN’s Fareed Zakaria asked Powell if he believed the Republicans that didn’t come out against Donald Trump’s antics realize they “encouraged, at least, this wildness to grow and grow.”
“They did,” Powell responded. “And that’s why I can no longer call myself a fellow Republican.”
The Pro-Trump mob that breached the Capitol building has been condemned by a number of Republicans, and Trump’s earlier actions of refusing to accept the results of the November election drew criticism from party members.
Now, the Republican party is struggling for power between its establishment and Trump loyalists.
Powell added that he doesn’t consider himself “a fellow of anything right now.”
“I’m just a citizen who has voted Republican, voted Democrat throughout my career and right now I’m just watching my country and not concerned with parties,” he continued.
Powell has been with the Republican party since 1996 when he retired from the military. The now-83-year-old was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a national security adviser during the 80s and 90s. Powell also served at the State Department’s Head under George W. Bush’s presidency from 2001 to 2005.
In August, Powell publicly endorsed President-elect Joe Biden. At the time, he called Biden “a president we will all be proud to salute,” according to CNBC.
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