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CBS News: 50 Republican National Security Leaders Opposing Trump

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Dozens of Republican national security leaders are taking a stand against Donald Trump.

CBS News reported that 50 Republican national security leaders, including former CIA Director Michael Hayden and former Homeland Security Secretaries Tom Ridge and Michael Chertoff, signed a letter opposing the GOP nominee's presidential bid.

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Officials wrote Trump "would be the most reckless President in American history."

"Unlike previous Presidents who had limited experience in foreign affairs, Mr. Trump has shown no interest in educating himself," the letter said. "He continues to display an alarming ignorance of basic facts of contemporary international politics."

It continued, "A President must be disciplined, control emotions, and act only after reflection and careful deliberation. In our judgement, Mr. Trump has none of these critical qualities. He is unable or unwilling to separate truth from falsehood. He does not encourage conflicting views. He lacks self-control and acts impetuously."

Trump shot back at the officials, saying they are the reason the world is "a mess."

Trump said their signatures make clear they're to blame for making the world so dangerous. He said they are "failed Washington elite" who must be held accountable.

Trump tied the signatories to Hillary Clinton and said together they are responsible for the rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

This comes after former CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell penned an op-ed in The New York Times endorsing Clinton, while criticizing Trump.

"Donald J. Trump is not only unqualified for the job, but he may well pose a threat to our national security," Morell, a former CBS News contributor, wrote.

He continued, "In sharp contrast to Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Trump has no experience on national security. Even more important, the character traits he has exhibited during the primary season suggest he would be a poor, even dangerous, commander in chief."

A new Monmouth University poll shows Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton holding a commanding 46 to 34 percent lead over Trump.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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