Quick Hit: 

A group of national security officials recently endorsed Kamala Harris, many of whom have strong connections to intelligence agencies and defense contractors. This move has raised concerns over the influence of the "deep state" and the entanglement of government interests with private defense companies.

Key Details:

• Dozens of former national security officials signed an endorsement for Kamala Harris in her potential 2024 presidential campaign.
• Several of the endorsers have prior ties to intelligence agencies like the CIA, NSA, and FBI.
• Many of the officials are connected to defense contractors, raising concerns about the revolving door between government positions and private military industries.

Diving Deeper:  

Kamala Harris has received an endorsement from a large group of former national security officials as she prepares for the possibility of leading the Democratic ticket in the 2024 election. While endorsements from government and military figures are not unusual, this particular group’s deep connections to intelligence agencies and defense contractors has reignited debates over the influence of the "deep state" in American politics.

According to a report from the Daily Caller, dozens of former intelligence and national security officials, including individuals linked to the CIA, NSA, and FBI, threw their support behind Harris. Many of these officials have also gone on to work with major defense contractors such as Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, underscoring the extensive network of relationships between the national security apparatus and private industry.

Critics argue that this endorsement is emblematic of the revolving door between government and defense contractors, with national security officials transitioning seamlessly from overseeing military policy to profiting from private defense deals. The close ties between Harris and these officials raise concerns about the potential for policy decisions that benefit the defense industry at the expense of broader national interests.

While Harris's supporters argue that these endorsements reflect confidence in her ability to lead on national security matters, skeptics caution that such backing from intelligence officials with deep connections to private defense firms could reinforce perceptions of undue influence by the "deep state" in Washington.

The endorsement has put a spotlight on Harris’s relationship with the national security establishment, highlighting the extent to which private defense interests could impact her policy positions if elected president.