In a striking authoritarian declaration, former President Donald Trump suggested he would deploy the National Guard or even the military to “handle” American citizens who oppose him, framing them as a significant threat to the nation.
During an interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures, Trump described what he called “the enemy from within,” labeling dissenters as “sick people” and “radical left lunatics,” terms he frequently reserves for his Democratic adversaries.
“They should be easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military,” he declared.
Trump’s remarks come on the heels of a rally he held in Coachella, California, a state known for its Democratic leanings. There, he witnessed a heckler being removed before continuing his familiar diatribe against immigration policies. His comments raise alarm bells regarding his authoritarian inclinations, hinting at a readiness to suppress dissent with force if he regains power.
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The former president’s comments also come as he faces scrutiny over his health and age, particularly in light of recent speeches that some have described as rambling and incoherent. Vice President Kamala Harris seized on this scrutiny, challenging Trump by publicly releasing her medical information and inviting voters to assess his mental fitness for office.
Harris is currently campaigning in North Carolina, where she attended a church service and planned a rally in Greenville.
As the political landscape shifts, new national polls indicate a tightening race, with the Democrats’ narrow lead increasingly in jeopardy. Trump’s comments only intensify concerns about his willingness to employ authoritarian measures against perceived threats from within, should he return to the Oval Office.
Watch the clip below from Fox News:
Trump to Bartiromo on what worries him about election day: "I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within … sick people, radical left lunatics. And it should be easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military." pic.twitter.com/twRsilNJnz
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 13, 2024
