John Kelly, a former four-star Marine general and chief of staff to Donald Trump, has surprised many with his recent criticism of the former president, just weeks before the upcoming election. In interviews with The New York Times, Kelly expressed deep concerns about Trump’s inclination to use the military against domestic political opponents, whom Trump has referred to as the “enemy within.” This alarming rhetoric, according to Kelly, compelled him to speak out.
Kelly labeled Trump’s comments about military action against American citizens as unacceptable, emphasizing the dangers of discussing such ideas for political gain. He went further to describe Trump as aligning with the definition of a “fascist,” characterizing him as authoritarian and ultranationalist with tendencies toward dictatorial leadership and the suppression of opposition.
In a shocking revelation, Kelly recounted a moment where Trump remarked on wanting generals akin to those of Adolf Hitler, which Kelly found deeply troubling and urged Trump not to repeat.
His comments come alongside similar warnings from other former high-ranking officials, including retired Army General Mark Milley, who called Trump “the most dangerous person ever,” accusing him of embodying fascism. Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper also expressed fear that Trump would misuse the military against his critics if re-elected.
Trump’s campaign has responded to these critiques, dismissing Kelly’s statements as unfounded and claiming he has suffered from “Trump Derangement Syndrome.” The campaign further accused Kelly of dishonoring his position by failing to support the former president effectively.
As early voting begins, both Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are vying for undecided voters, with Harris’ campaign highlighting Kelly’s remarks to assert Trump’s alleged unfitness for office. They rallied support from other former military leaders to emphasize the seriousness of Kelly’s claims.
However, analysts remain skeptical that these comments will sway voters significantly, with many believing that Trump’s supporters have already formed their opinions regardless of the critiques from former officials. With the election looming, both campaigns are eager to gain any advantage they can.