Egypt Daily News – Former President Donald Trump’s recent comments about potentially using the military against what he described as an “enemy from within” have raised significant concerns among political commentators and the public alike.
During an interview with Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, Trump suggested that the National Guard or military might intervene on Election Day if necessary, referring to threats posed by “radical left lunatics.”
This notion of an “enemy from within” appears to echo language often associated with authoritarian regimes, prompting alarm on social media. Critics, including New Yorker staff writer Susan Glasser, highlighted the dangerous implications of Trump’s statements, likening them to the rhetoric used by dictators who send military forces against their own citizens.
In a separate interview, Trump made a controversial remark about being a dictator during a hypothetical second term, suggesting he would only act as one on his first day to implement specific policies, such as border control and increased oil drilling.
He later claimed his comments were intended as a joke, but they stirred further unease among observers.
Various political figures responded to Trump’s statements with alarm. For instance, Ian Sams, a spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign, emphasized that Trump’s proposal to treat fellow Americans as greater enemies than foreign adversaries poses a significant threat to the freedoms and security of the nation.
As the upcoming presidential election, the first since the events surrounding the January 6 Capitol riot, approaches, these comments underscore the persistent tensions in U.S. politics and raise questions about the future of democratic norms and civil discourse in the country.
Election Day is set for November 5, and with Trump’s ongoing legal challenges related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, the political climate remains tense.