Donald Trumpâs call to use the military against his perceived enemies within the United States is being met with shock and horror by his critics on social media.
Fox News host Maria Bartiromo on Sunday asked the former president about the potential for violence on Election Day from âoutside agitators,â including âChinese nationalsâ and undocumented migrants.
But Trump said heâs not worried about immigrants in this scenario.
âI think the bigger problem is the enemy from within,â he said, echoing similar language used by Nazis. âI think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people, we have some sick people, radical left lunatics.â
Trump has routinely described many of his critics, rivals and opponents as âradical left lunaticsâ and âenemies.â
In the new interview, he said they should be met with force.
âIt should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military,â he said. âBecause they canât let that happen.â
The escalation in rhetoric alarmed Trumpâs critics on X:
He wants to use the military against his political opponents. He is utterly un-American. He is everything our Founders feared. Hey Trump supporters, defend this. Go ahead and try.đ https://t.co/rrC09EV2r1
â Joe Walsh (@WalshFreedom) October 13, 2024
Enough. John Kelly and Jim Mattis should each do an ad for Harris, straight to camera, explaining how a Trump second term would be a threat to the Constitution they swore to uphold and to the nation theyâve served. https://t.co/mXUXyRmbjP
â Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) October 14, 2024
Anyone whoâs a student of modern German history would have shuddered at #Trumpâs reference to âthe enemy from withinâ & his use of military force to deal with them.
â David Moody (@DavidM3310) October 13, 2024
Heâs convinced that if youâre not for him, you are an enemy of the state. This makes him a #fascist. https://t.co/YhkoAr527f
This is a pretty clear statement about employing a military coup. Remember he said he was going to "be a dictator on day one." That's when he starts this process. He talks about it at every rally and in every interview and because he only talks to sycophants, there's never anyâŠ
â Victoria Brownworth (@VABVOX) October 13, 2024
This is fascism. Vowing to use the military to round up âradical left lunatics,â which is a term Trump routinely applies to Democrats and liberals. https://t.co/1c4YqxnZEM
â David Corn (@DavidCornDC) October 13, 2024
This kind of rhetoric is dangerous. Disagreement doesnât make someone an enemy, and involving the military against civilians crosses a line that should never be considered in a democracy.
â Vaas Montenegro (@MichaelMando171) October 13, 2024
The enemy within. Straight up language of dictators and tyrants, who want to use the military on their own people. https://t.co/yjDkQxrkP7
â Susan Glasser (@sbg1) October 13, 2024
I guess when the Supreme Court says youâre immune, they let you do it: Trump floats sending military after US citizens on election day https://t.co/9YcSOtxMSZ
â Frank Figliuzzi (@FrankFigliuzzi1) October 13, 2024
A candidate for president of the United States wants to send the military after you if you donât agree with him.
â Woman In The Moon (@SassyKadiK) October 13, 2024
That should scare the ever living fuck out of everyone.
Support Free Journalism
Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
He wants a military coup. Hard pass.
â Art Candee đżđ„€ (@ArtCandee) October 13, 2024
