Former Secretary of State Colin Powell Says He's Still a Republican 'Because It Annoys Them,' Calls Out Donald Trump

He endorsed President Barack Obama twice.

Contrary to popular belief, not every Republican dislikes President Barack Obama. Case in point: former Secretary of State Colin Powell, who endorsed him twice.

According to CNN, he was asked whether or not he was still a part of the GOP during the Washington Ideas Forum on Wednesday.  "Yes, I'm still a Republican," he answered, noting that he voted for "five presidents in a row who were Republican.” Don’t forget his work under President Ronald Reagan and former senator Howard Baker. While others might remain skeptical, Powell joked:  "I want to continue to be a Republican because it annoys them.”

More than that, he says he’s still a Republican because he believes in a strong defense and in the “entrepreneurial spirit that is so typical of the Republican Party in the past.” But he admits to taking issue with current party representatives. For example, Donald Trump has been outspoken about his lack of support for immigrants, which doesn’t sit well with Powell who refers to himself as "a child of immigrant parents" and America as "an immigrant nation."

"We have been built on the backs of immigrants and we've always had difficulty with immigration policy throughout our history. If I were around Mr. Trump—Donald—who I know very well, I would say, 'You know, Donald, let's see what happens. Let's tell all the immigrants working at Trump Hotel to stay home tomorrow.' See what happens. Are you kidding me?  Look who's serving you. Guess who's cooking in the back. Next time you walk through Dulles or Reagan, look who's manning the counter. Look who's cleaning things up. These are first generation American immigrants, who will raise children, who will grow up to higher things."

Powell also said that the Republican Party has "shifted much further right than the country is," adding that party leaders "cannot keep saying the things that they are saying and hope to be successful at national level elections in the future."

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