Below is transcribed an open letter by thirteen Republican White House staff members regarding the New York Times interview with former White House Chief of Staff, General John Kelly, in which he described former-President Donald Trump as a "fascist," an "authoritarian," and warned that he sought the powers of a "dictator."

October 24, 2024

Yesterday, General John Kelly - a retired four-star general and Donald Trump's former White House Chief of Staff- told the American people what those of us who served in the Trump Administration have seen up close: Donald Trump is increasingly unstable, unfit to serve, and his second term would be more dangerous.

The revelations General Kelly brought forward are disturbing and shocking. But because we know Trump and have worked for and alongside him, we were sadly not surprised by what General Kelly had to say. This is who Donald Trump is.

Donald Trump's disdain for the American military and admiration for dictators like Hitler is rooted in his desire for absolute, unchecked power. This is a man who threw his own Vice President – Mike Pence – at a violent mob in a desperate bid to hold on to power.

When Donald Trump says **he wants to be a

"dictator" on "day one"** and deploy the military against American citizens he deems “the enemy from within" - he means it.

General Kelly noted he is speaking out because of Trump's recent comments about using the military against our fellow Americans Trump deems the “enemy from within. ” General Kelly highlighted Trump's freams of being an authoritarian, saying Trump “certainly prefers the dictator approach to government" and that Trump fits “into the general definition of fascist.” General Kelly also made sure to emphasize Trump's infatuation with Adolf Hitler, saying that Trump “commented more than once that, "You know, Hitler did some good things, too." We applaud General Kelly for highlighting in stark details the danger of a second Trump term.

Like General Kelly, we did not take the decision to come forward lightly. We are all lifelong Republicans who served our country. However, there are moments in history where it becomes necessary to put country over party. This is one of those moments.

Everyone should heed General Kelly's warning. We have witnessed, up close and personal, how Donald Trump operates and what he is capable of. The American people deserve a leader who won't threaten to turn armed troops against them, won't put his quest for power above their needs, and doesn't idealize the likes of Adolf Hitler. Donald Trump demonstrates every day he is not capable of being Commander in Chief of this great nation. In a second term, those who once tried to prevent Donald Trump from his worst impulses will no longer be there to rein him in.

For the good of our country, our democracy, and our Constitution, we are asking you to listen closely and carefully to General Kelly's warning. We unfortunately know all too well how serious and dire it is.

• Brooke Vosburgh Alexander, Former Executive Assistant to Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross

• Kevin Carroll, Former Senior Counselor to Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly

• Alyssa Farah Griffin, Former Press Secretary for the Vice President and Special Assistant to the President

• Stephanie Grisham, Former White House Press Secretary

• Mark Harvey, Former Special Assistant to the President

• Peter Jennison, Former Director for Preparedness, National Security Council

• Sofia Kinzinger, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, Dept. of Homeland Security

• Sarah Matthews, Former Deputy White House Press Secretary

• Elizabeth Neumann, Former Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security

• Robert Riley, Former Ambassador to Micronesia

• Anthony Scaramucci, Former White House Director of Communications

• Miles Taylor, Former Chief of Staff, Dept. of Homeland Security

• Olivia Troye, Former National Security Advisor to the Vice President

Not really by personal means, but when the historically paramilitary organization become para-military, or organized for that matter? When do the actions of other groups or the status quo or even highly motivated Individuals go against the ideology of the Iron Front far enough that it incites direct action?

I’ll select a flair, it’ll be there until I refresh the page. Anyone else have this issue?

For anyone wishing to learn more, the podcast 'Behind The Bastards' did a historically critical biography of him some years ago, in which they include other great academic resources.

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