During an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, Vice President Kamala Harris boldly challenged the misleading portrayal of former President Trump’s comments about using military force against political opponents.
In response to Baier’s question about Trump’s remarks, Harris highlighted a disturbing pattern in Trump’s rhetoric, specifically his suggestion of using the military against American citizens. She recalled Trump’s statements on “Sunday Morning Futures,” where he referred to the “radical left lunatics” as “sick people” and implied that the National Guard or military might be needed to handle them.
“We have some sick people, radical left lunatics,” Trump said. “It should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard or if really necessary by the military.”
Harris asserted, “He talks about an enemy within,” emphasizing the danger of Trump framing American citizens as adversaries. “An enemy within, talking about the American people, suggesting he would turn the American military on the American people.”
“We asked that question to the former president today,” Baier replied. “Harris Faulkner had a town hall, and this is how he responded.”
When Baier presented a clip of Trump, Harris immediately objected, stating, “Bret, I’m sorry, and with all due respect, that clip was not what he has been saying about the enemy within. That’s not what you just showed!”
Baier attempted to defend the clip, saying “No, no, I’m telling you, that was the question that we asked him.” But Harris remained unwavering. “No, that’s not what you just showed, in all fairness and respect to you,” she insisted. She continued, pointing out that Trump has repeatedly invoked the idea of military action against dissenters and has suggested punitive measures for those who criticize him.
“You didn’t show that. And here’s the bottom line. He has repeated it many times. And you and I both know that. And you and I both know that he has talked about turning the American military on the American people. He has talked about going after people who are engaged in peaceful protests. He has talked about locking people up because they disagree with him.”
“This is a democracy!” Harris declared, arguing that a president should be able to handle criticism without resorting to threats or calls for imprisonment. She referenced former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, who described Trump as a “fascist to his core,” further underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Harris’s fearless confrontation of Baier’s deceptive editing brought attention to the urgent implications of Trump’s words, reminding viewers of the fragile nature of democratic values in the face of such rhetoric.
Watch the viral clip below:
Kamala Harris: Bret, I'm sorry, and with all due respect, that clip was not what he has been saying about the enemy within that he has repeated when he is speaking about the American people. That's not what you just showed. pic.twitter.com/TGPHYZGcvb
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 16, 2024
