John Kelly, the former chief of staff to Donald Trump and a retired Marine general, publicly criticized the former president during interviews with The New York Times on Tuesday, just two weeks ahead of the elections. Kelly expressed that Trump’s comments regarding using the military against what he termed the “enemy within,” specifically referring to political opponents, compelled him to speak out.
Kelly stated, “I think this issue of using the military to go after American citizens is very, very bad—it’s problematic even to suggest it for political gain, and it’s a severe issue to take that action.” He further articulated that Trump’s tendencies align with a definition of “fascism,” highlighting characteristics such as authoritarianism, dictatorial leadership, and the suppression of opposition.
He recounted a moment that left him taken aback, where Trump expressed admiration for generals akin to those of Adolf Hitler, advising the former president not to repeat such comments. Kelly’s remarks, surprising given his high-ranking military background, are part of a growing chorus of critiques from former officials in Trump’s administration.
Mark Milley, a retired general and former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, previously described Trump as “fascist to the core,” expressing concern over his dangerous influence. Similarly, Mark Esper, the former defense secretary, remarked that he feared Trump might resort to military action against domestic critics should he return to presidency, noting a lack of restraints in a potential second term.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has shown admiration for various authoritarian leaders, a point raised by his critics. In reaction to Kelly’s statements, Trump’s campaign automatically defended him, with spokesperson Steven Cheung claiming Kelly “has totally beclowned himself” and asserting that Trump respects military service.
Kelly’s unexpected comments surfaced as early voting is in progress, highlighting the ongoing political battle between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris for undecided voters. Harris’s campaign seized the opportunity to emphasize the seriousness of Kelly’s assertions and brought forth other Republican former military leaders to echo criticisms of Trump.
As discussions about Trump’s character intensify, some analysts doubt that these comments will significantly alter voter perceptions, suggesting that opinions on Trump are well-formed among the electorate.