Retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal endorsed Rep. Seth Moulton Seth MoultonOvernight Defense: Nearly 500 former national security officials formally back Biden | 40 groups call on House panel to investigate Pentagon's use of coronavirus funds The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Markey defeats Kennedy; Trump lauds America's enforcers in Wisconsin Moulton fends off primary challenges in Massachusetts MORE (D-Mass.) for president Thursday, citing his “character” and “competence.”

McChrystal, who commanded U.S. forces in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2010, referenced the chants of “send her back” that erupted at President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE’s campaign rally Wednesday evening when Trump criticized Rep. Ilhan Omar Ilhan OmarOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Trump attacks Omar for criticizing US: 'How did you do where you came from?' Democrats scramble on COVID-19 relief amid division, Trump surprise MORE (D-Minn.).

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That moment, he told MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell, “reinforced for me the reality that leadership in our country is first and foremost about character, second, I think, about competence, not just personal competence but the ability to shape and lead an honest, good team.”

McChrystal added “specific policies or politics” are the third most important component of leadership.

NEW: Retired US Gen. Stanley McChrystal endorses Seth Moulton for president; Moulton, a decorated Marine veteran and congressman, has not drawn enough support to make the first 2 Democratic debates. pic.twitter.com/kdWJDXpXWs — MSNBC (@MSNBC) July 18, 2019

McChrystal resigned as commander of forces in Afghanistan in 2010 after the publication of a Rolling Stone profile that quoted him as criticizing civilian government officials, including then-Vice President Joe Biden Joe BidenPelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Hillicon Valley: Subpoenas for Facebook, Google and Twitter on the cards | Wray rebuffs mail-in voting conspiracies | Reps. raise mass surveillance concerns Fox News poll: Biden ahead of Trump in Nevada, Pennsylvania and Ohio MORE. He announced his retirement shortly thereafter.

He previously endorsed Moulton, a Marine veteran, for his successful primary challenge to then-Rep. John Tierney John F. TierneyYoung insurgents aren't rushing to Kennedy's side in Markey fight Moulton drops out of presidential race after struggling to gain traction Stanley McChrystal endorses Moulton for president MORE (D-Mass.) in 2014, in what he said was his first-ever political endorsement.

“I thought it was time to change it and change it for one person,” McChrystal said in 2014, according to The Boston Globe.

The endorsement comes as Moulton is calling on the Democratic National Committee to reconsider its exclusion of him from the debate stage for the upcoming second primary debates, citing 12 polls that show him reaching 1 percent support.