Independent Candidate Evan McMullin Says Trump Is 'Inhuman,' Calls Clinton 'Woefully Unfit' to Be President
He announced his presidential candidacy this morning.
— -- Evan McMullin, the former CIA agent who announced today that he is running for president, had harsh words for both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, telling ABC News he believes both are "woefully unfit for the responsibilities they seek."
But he reserved particular ire for Trump, calling him "inhuman," and an "authoritarian" who "does not care about anyone but himself."
McMullin, a Republican, previously worked for the House Republican Conference and considers himself a true conservative. But he doesn't see himself as a spoiler for Trump.
"I’m an American first, I'm a conservative next, then I think about party," he said.
"Look, Donald Trump is defeating himself. He is ensuring that Hillary Clinton is elected," he told ABC News today.
"I think they would both be absolutely terrible."
McMullin, 40, did not hold back in his criticism of Trump, saying that one of the latest scandals -- Trump's comments about the speech made by the parents of a fallen Muslim-American soldier -- shows that Trump is "inhuman."
"Donald Trump does not care about anyone but himself," McMullin said. "I do believe he is a fraud and a con man and that’s not something I say lightly."
As for Clinton, he said that her private email server controversy shows "she believes that she's unaccountable to the American people."
McMullin said that he had been hoping that someone with more national name recognition would come forward "many, many months ago" to challenge Trump, but he was approached about his run when "someone came to me," though he did not disclose the name of that individual. He then said that "people" who are deeply upset by Trump's run have discussed his potential candidacy.
Asked specifically about House Speaker Paul Ryan, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus and former Republican presidential candidate -- and fellow Republican with deep ties in Utah -- Mitt Romney, McMullin said that he has not spoken to any of those individuals about his run.
"I've been wrestling with the decision for a couple of weeks," noting that he spent "time in prayer" before deciding.
When asked about two touchstone issues, McMullin said that he is "strongly pro-life," calling abortion "a test of our humanity" and said that Roe v. Wade should be overturned. He also said that "there needs to be reforms" in the tax system and "I think we need to lower taxes across the board."
McMullin also suggested that Trump is a "co-optee" of Vladimir Putin's. "I’m no fan of an authoritarian and Donald Trump is an authoritarian," he said.
McMullin said that while he just resigned from the House Republican Conference this morning via email, he already has a campaign manager and is optimistic about his campaign finances.
"The money is coming. Americans are responding very quickly," he said.
Though his campaign is not quick enough to play on a completely national level. He has already missed the independent filing deadline in 27 states, but he seems unmoved, saying that they're ready "to fight, to scrape, to claw."
"I’ve spent my life avoiding the limelight and seeking opportunities to serve. Donald Trump has spent his life seeking the spotlight and avoiding opportunities to serve," McMullin said.
"We’re focused on winning. We think the country needs a new generation of leadership."