Trump Would Rule Like a Dictator - John Kelly
As Election Day approaches, John Kelly, the longest-serving chief of staff under President Donald Trump, has warned that Trump could govern like a dictator if re-elected. Kelly, a former Marine general and homeland security secretary, shared his thoughts in three recorded interviews with The New York Times, expressing concerns over Trump’s fitness and character.
Kelly, who worked closely with Trump from July 2017 for nearly a year and a half, reflected on his time in the White House, describing it as tumultuous. He felt that Trump’s behavior often showed a lack of understanding of the Constitution. While Kelly said he agreed with some of Trump's policies, he emphasized the importance of voters considering a candidate’s character over political positions when choosing a president.
In the discussions, Kelly stated that Trump met the definition of a fascist. “Looking at the definition of fascism: It’s a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, and belief in a natural social hierarchy,” Kelly explained, adding that in his view, Trump fit this description. He noted that Trump admired dictatorial figures and leaned toward authoritarian governance.
Kelly also addressed reports of Trump making admiring remarks about Hitler and showing disrespect toward disabled veterans and fallen U.S. soldiers, referring to them as “losers” and “suckers,” which was first reported in 2020 by The Atlantic. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, dismissed Kelly’s remarks as “debunked stories” and criticized Kelly for discrediting himself.
During the interviews, Kelly read the definition of fascism aloud, stating that Trump's actions and mindset matched it. He said, “Trump never accepted that he wasn’t the most powerful man in the world. By power, I mean an ability to do anything he wanted, anytime he wanted.” According to Kelly, Trump’s preference for a dictatorial style of governance was evident, reinforcing his concerns over Trump’s potential return to power.
Kelly, who worked closely with Trump from July 2017 for nearly a year and a half, reflected on his time in the White House, describing it as tumultuous. He felt that Trump’s behavior often showed a lack of understanding of the Constitution. While Kelly said he agreed with some of Trump's policies, he emphasized the importance of voters considering a candidate’s character over political positions when choosing a president.
In the discussions, Kelly stated that Trump met the definition of a fascist. “Looking at the definition of fascism: It’s a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, and belief in a natural social hierarchy,” Kelly explained, adding that in his view, Trump fit this description. He noted that Trump admired dictatorial figures and leaned toward authoritarian governance.
Kelly also addressed reports of Trump making admiring remarks about Hitler and showing disrespect toward disabled veterans and fallen U.S. soldiers, referring to them as “losers” and “suckers,” which was first reported in 2020 by The Atlantic. Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, dismissed Kelly’s remarks as “debunked stories” and criticized Kelly for discrediting himself.
During the interviews, Kelly read the definition of fascism aloud, stating that Trump's actions and mindset matched it. He said, “Trump never accepted that he wasn’t the most powerful man in the world. By power, I mean an ability to do anything he wanted, anytime he wanted.” According to Kelly, Trump’s preference for a dictatorial style of governance was evident, reinforcing his concerns over Trump’s potential return to power.
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