Former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card: Trump transition is ‘terribly unusual’

JAFFREY, New Hampshire — If there’s one man who knows a thing or two about a peaceful transition of power, it’s former White House Chief of Staff Andy Card.

The Holbrook native and lifelong Republican was involved in three presidential transitions, most notably for President Bush following the hotly contested 2000 election.

Card said what’s happening in Washington doesn’t compare to anything he’s experienced.

“Oh, it’s terribly unusual because there’s been [such] resistance from President Trump,” Card said from his office in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. “It’s puts the country in jeopardy because there are [groups] outside the United States who may be trying to take advantage of a transition of power. It’s important to have good intelligence about what’s happening around the world so that you can maintain national security.”

Card puts the blame squarely on President Trump.

“I’m very troubled that President Trump was too slow to acknowledge [the election results]. He should make sure the baton is well understood before it’s passed,” Card said.

Card has been a key player for every Republican president since Ronald Reagan, but he is most famous for whispering “America is under attack” into President Bush’s ear on the morning of Sept. 11.

Last week, Card watched as America was attacked again, this time from within.

“It was very, very sad to witness,” Card said. “I was literally in tears watching it. I do blame the president. I think President Trump incited this. [He] invited it.”

Card said he’s encouraged his old boss and the former First Lady will attend President-Elect Joe Biden’s swearing-in ceremony next week.

“It’ll be the eight inauguration Bush has attended. I think that may be a record,” Card said. “I was pleased to hear he’s going to go. To me, that sends a signal to the world that this is the right thing, the normal thing.”

And although some of his other political contemporaries—including former Secretary of State Colin Powell—have left the Party, Card said he’s still a Republican.

“I am a Republican. I do not identify as a ‘Trump Party member’. I think Donald Trump hijacked the Republican Party. He was never an active Republican,” Card said.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW