Vice President Kamala Harris launched a scathing critique of former President Donald Trump on Wednesday, highlighting his desire for “unchecked power” as revealed by recent comments from John Kelly, Trump’s former Chief of Staff. Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, argued that these revelations underscore the dangers of Trump returning to the presidency.
Kelly’s Damning Statements Paint a Disturbing Picture
Harris’s accusations stem from a bombshell interview Kelly gave to The New York Times, published on Tuesday. In the interview, Kelly, a retired US Marine Corps general who served as Trump’s chief of staff from 2017 to 2019, didn’t mince words. He labeled Trump a “fascist” who “prefers the dictator approach to government.” Kelly went further, claiming that Trump, in a second term, would aim for authoritarian rule.
Adding fuel to the fire, Kelly recounted Trump’s apparent admiration for Adolf Hitler’s generals, quoting him as saying he wanted subordinates with similar loyalty. This account was corroborated by a separate article in The Atlantic, where Kelly recalled Trump stating that Hitler “did some good things.”
Trump’s Team Denies Allegations as Election Heats Up
Unsurprisingly, Trump’s team vehemently denied these accounts. However, the timing couldn’t be worse for the former president. The latest Reuters/Ipsos poll shows Harris with a slim but significant lead nationally, garnering 46% support compared to Trump’s 43%. With the November 5th election looming, the stakes are incredibly high.
Walls Echoes Concerns, Underscores Importance of Election
Meanwhile, Democratic vice presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz added his voice to the chorus of concern. After casting his ballot early on Wednesday, Walz addressed reporters, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
“Donald Trump made it very clear that this is [an] election about Donald Trump taking full control of the military to use against his political enemies, taking full control of the Department of Justice to prosecute those who disagree with him,” Walz stated.
Early Voting Surge Underscores High Stakes
Walz’s decision to vote early highlights a trend sweeping the nation. According to tracking data from the United States Elections Project, a staggering 28.8 million Americans have already cast their ballots, either through in-person early voting or by mail. This surge in early voting underscores the heightened sense of urgency surrounding this election.
