Former Trump Chief of Staff Kelly Warns Trump would Rule as a dictator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the major players in Trump’s last administration are warning voters that the second term of Trump would be a disaster…

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/22/us/politics/john-kelly-trump-fitness-character.html

As Election Nears, Kelly Warns Trump Would Rule Like a Dictator
John Kelly, the Trump White House’s longest-serving chief of staff, said that he believed that Donald Trump met the definition of a fascist.

Few top officials spent more time behind closed doors in the White House with President Donald J. Trump than John F. Kelly, the former Marine general who was his longest-serving chief of staff.

With Election Day looming, Mr. Kelly — deeply bothered by Mr. Trump’s recent comments about employing the military against his domestic opponents — agreed to three on-the-record, recorded discussions with a reporter for The New York Times about the former president, providing some of his most wide-ranging comments yet about Mr. Trump’s fitness and character.

Mr. Kelly was homeland security secretary under Mr. Trump before moving to the White House in July 2017. He worked to carry out Mr. Trump’s agenda for nearly a year and a half. It was a tumultuous period in which he drew internal criticism over his own performance and grew disenchanted and distressed by conduct on the part of the president that he considered at times to be inappropriate and reflecting no understanding of the Constitution.

In the interviews, Mr. Kelly expanded on his previously expressed concerns and stressed that voters, in his view, should consider fitness and character when selecting a president, even more than a candidate’s stances on the issues.

This is significant. It is game over. This is not even an anonymous source or opposite party. This was Trump's Chief of Staff (longest serving). He is also a 4-star General, but it's compelling that these statements and critiques of Trump are coming from Trump's own Chief of Staff!!

I'm sure the MAGA die-hards who are in a trance will continue to shut their eyes and ears and stay in denial. But this will absolutely land and impact the undecided, independent and libertarians.

Really? Hope you’re right. I don’t see it moving the needle one bit. People just don’t care. “Oh, Trump wouldn’t really do ____. It’s just a bunch of talk.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Imagine looking at the long list of people who worked in Trump's administration and believing, "nope, they are liars. Trump, Don Jr, Rudy Giuliani, MGT and Laura Loomer are the ones I believe!"

Actually, there are many people from his cabinet that have endorsed his re-election bid. Yet, we are supposed to take the world of the malcontents who failed at their jobs.

3 out of 44 is not "many"

No, half of his cabinet has endorsed him.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/interactive/2024/trump-cabinet-endorsements/

Why not trust the word of those who worked with him who have endorsed him?

because the ones who endorsed him were among the worse government officials in the history of the country

That’s your opinion. I think many of those officials did a good job. Posters on this board are pushing a false narrative that everyone who worked for him has a poor opinion of him and is against his re-election.

Never before — never ever — has a president running for reelection had so many former staff warn the public that he is unfit to serve. Never. You can look it up. That is a fact. Nowhere close.

+1. There’s very few Republican surrogates campaigning with Trump. And a whole lot saying he’s a despicable human being. There’s a reason for that.

In the moron world view, that’s because of Democrat lying. We’ve invented it, somehow.

Thoughtful people would take heed of the flurry of warnings by people who worked with him.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious to know what the dozens of people who quit Kamala’s staff would have to say about her. She had a 95 percent turnover rate in 3 years…. Obviously you wouldn’t trust what they have to say. Kelly’s opinion doesn’t sway me at all.

Get them on record, and I’ll listen.
Kelly is on record. And he isn’t the only one, he is just the LATEST one.
There’s no comparison here, but keep trying. Lord knows you’ll never admit you’ve been taken for a fool by a conman.
But here’s a little tip: your vote is secret. No one has to know if you admitted you are wrong, and didn’t vote for Trump. You can still tell all your maga friends and family you are part of the cult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, here's a sourced quote about Trump, from his MAL butler (who is loyal to Trump btw). Trump was telling guests something about MAL from Marjorie Merriweather Post days. The butler corrected him, to which Trump said, "who cares?"
Butler thought it was a cute story or something.

Yeah, I mean, Trump has a monument at his Virginia golf club falsely claiming that a civil war battle happened there. Truth is irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

There are two kinds of fascists. Those who are evil and abusive, and those who are decent people misled by propaganda, lies, and fear. Anyone still voting for him after all that’s come out is just abusive and evil.

Generals don’t like to speak out on politics. They usually stay above the fray as they serve every CiC regardless of party, and military decisions are not supposed to be made with political influence. An apolitical military is critical to democracy. I lived with one for 20 years and never heard a single political statement. Never even knew if or how he voted. For Kelly to feel the need to break his silence extremely alarming. There are, unfortunately, some radicals in the military who will do trumps bidding just like Hitler had some. Anyone who thinks we have enough guardrails in place to prevent this is being dishonest or they aren’t very bright.

[Anonymous]

Those of you who are defending Trump are NOT Republicans. You are Trump Cultists. Full stop. Real Republicans have said that Trump does not represent their party. Many many of them are saying this. People who are lifelong Rs, served in the military, held office. Trump himself is not even a real republican. He was a democrat until he decided he wants to be a dictator. Then he realized his path was to appeal to the uneducated/racist/misogynistic portion of America. I know the truth hurts, but please. Take a good, honest look at his actual words and actions. Nobody is fear mongering or gaslighting you. We are only referring to things he has ACTUALLY SAID AND DONE! Kelly is referring only to his actual words and actions. If you are assuming a republican four star general is lying with no basis for this other than your loyalty and obsession with Trump, then it is time for you to do some serious soul searching.

You need to understand how delicate this “democracy “ is. He has set the stage and lifted the guardrails. He WILL burn the whole thing down. Again, this is not fear mongering. HE IS ACTUALLY TELLING IS THAT’S WHAT HE PLANS TO DO!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious to know what the dozens of people who quit Kamala’s staff would have to say about her. She had a 95 percent turnover rate in 3 years…. Obviously you wouldn’t trust what they have to say. Kelly’s opinion doesn’t sway me at all.

Nothing is stopping them from speaking out. They could do so anonymously. I have looked into it and all I really saw was that she’s “too tough.” I think we have established that a huge segment of the population is not comfortable with tough female leaders. Isn’t it odd that Trump is praised for being tough and she is criticized for it?

It should be noted that many of those staffers moved into higher positions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Those of you who are defending Trump are NOT Republicans. You are Trump Cultists. Full stop. Real Republicans have said that Trump does not represent their party. Many many of them are saying this. People who are lifelong Rs, served in the military, held office. Trump himself is not even a real republican. He was a democrat until he decided he wants to be a dictator. Then he realized his path was to appeal to the uneducated/racist/misogynistic portion of America. I know the truth hurts, but please. Take a good, honest look at his actual words and actions. Nobody is fear mongering or gaslighting you. We are only referring to things he has ACTUALLY SAID AND DONE! Kelly is referring only to his actual words and actions. If you are assuming a republican four star general is lying with no basis for this other than your loyalty and obsession with Trump, then it is time for you to do some serious soul searching.

You need to understand how delicate this “democracy “ is. He has set the stage and lifted the guardrails. He WILL burn the whole thing down. Again, this is not fear mongering. HE IS ACTUALLY TELLING IS THAT’S WHAT HE PLANS TO DO!

“Real Republicans”? Trump has the support of the vast majority of Republicans. He won an open primary. Yet, you only call his minority of detractors “real Republicans.”

Trump has not told us he is planning to end our democracy. Neither have these couple of former staffers who haven’t spoken to him in years and have no knowledge of his plans.

[Anonymous]

You don’t get to define what a republican is for the rest of us. I don’t give a hoot about Kelly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How? Legally how?

If the military does what he says, a piece of paper isn't going to stop him.

Oh grow up. The US Military will not be used against civilians. Go learn something.

You willing to take that chance? Can you guarantee you won't be subjected to the whims of a corrupt dictator?

Yes. Ive served. There are rules and regulations that civilians don't understand pertaining to domestic threats, and how the military might be used.

And Trump ignores the rules and regulations, then what?

Ughhh. give it a rest.

Why? On what planet does Trump care about rules, laws or norms?

He is literally saying he will be a dictator.
He is literally saying he will use the military for the "enemy within"
He has literally called for media outlets losing their licenses
He has literally called for deporting immigrants, without distinction of legal status.

When people tell us who they are, believe them.

[Anonymous]

Here's the entire CNN interview which contains clips of John Kelly's comments to the reporter. They're interspersed throughout the interview.

[Anonymous]

Literally what is happening…

Trumpers: who cares what he says! He’s gonna be good for the economy and my bank account!

Everyone else (liberals, real republicans, entire world): How? What’s his plan?

Trumpers:

Everyone else: anything?

Trumpers: gas was cheap when he was president.

Everyone else: global pandemic, locked in houses, supply and demand

Trumpers: he’s gonna lower taxes!

Trump: Hey rich people! You’re so rich and Im gonna lower your taxes!

Trumpers: SEE???

Trump: not yours. Im actually gonna put tariffs on everything you buy!

Trumpers: YES!!!

Everyone else: hey guys, that’s actually not gonna be good…for any of us.

Trumpers: HAHA! Liberal tears!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m curious to know what the dozens of people who quit Kamala’s staff would have to say about her. She had a 95 percent turnover rate in 3 years…. Obviously you wouldn’t trust what they have to say. Kelly’s opinion doesn’t sway me at all.

Harris was bestowed a chief of staff when she first took the VP office. That chief of staff brought in their own people. After several months, it was clear that those staffers were not prepared for the job and were not able to answer questions when Harris asked them during meetings. She cleaned house and got better people in - her people. It has been fine since, and the ones that were fired had sour grapes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those of you who are defending Trump are NOT Republicans. You are Trump Cultists. Full stop. Real Republicans have said that Trump does not represent their party. Many many of them are saying this. People who are lifelong Rs, served in the military, held office. Trump himself is not even a real republican. He was a democrat until he decided he wants to be a dictator. Then he realized his path was to appeal to the uneducated/racist/misogynistic portion of America. I know the truth hurts, but please. Take a good, honest look at his actual words and actions. Nobody is fear mongering or gaslighting you. We are only referring to things he has ACTUALLY SAID AND DONE! Kelly is referring only to his actual words and actions. If you are assuming a republican four star general is lying with no basis for this other than your loyalty and obsession with Trump, then it is time for you to do some serious soul searching.

You need to understand how delicate this “democracy “ is. He has set the stage and lifted the guardrails. He WILL burn the whole thing down. Again, this is not fear mongering. HE IS ACTUALLY TELLING IS THAT’S WHAT HE PLANS TO DO!

“Real Republicans”? Trump has the support of the vast majority of Republicans. He won an open primary. Yet, you only call his minority of detractors “real Republicans.”

Trump has not told us he is planning to end our democracy. Neither have these couple of former staffers who haven’t spoken to him in years and have no knowledge of his plans.

He actually said he is going to be a dictator on day one, unleash the military on civilians, jail his political opponents. Dear gawd. Are you not listening to his actual words?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Those of you who are defending Trump are NOT Republicans. You are Trump Cultists. Full stop. Real Republicans have said that Trump does not represent their party. Many many of them are saying this. People who are lifelong Rs, served in the military, held office. Trump himself is not even a real republican. He was a democrat until he decided he wants to be a dictator. Then he realized his path was to appeal to the uneducated/racist/misogynistic portion of America. I know the truth hurts, but please. Take a good, honest look at his actual words and actions. Nobody is fear mongering or gaslighting you. We are only referring to things he has ACTUALLY SAID AND DONE! Kelly is referring only to his actual words and actions. If you are assuming a republican four star general is lying with no basis for this other than your loyalty and obsession with Trump, then it is time for you to do some serious soul searching.

You need to understand how delicate this “democracy “ is. He has set the stage and lifted the guardrails. He WILL burn the whole thing down. Again, this is not fear mongering. HE IS ACTUALLY TELLING IS THAT’S WHAT HE PLANS TO DO!

“Real Republicans”? Trump has the support of the vast majority of Republicans. He won an open primary. Yet, you only call his minority of detractors “real Republicans.”

Trump has not told us he is planning to end our democracy. Neither have these couple of former staffers who haven’t spoken to him in years and have no knowledge of his plans.

He actually said he is going to be a dictator on day one, unleash the military on civilians, jail his political opponents. Dear gawd. Are you not listening to his actual words?

No, they are not. It is appalling how they are defending this.