In a pointed critique, Vice President Kamala Harris labeled former President Donald Trump as “increasingly unhinged and unstable” during her speech at the Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C., on October 23, 2024. With the election just two weeks away, Harris aimed to underscore the dangers of Trump’s ambitions for “unchecked power,” warning voters of the implications should he return to office.
Harris’ remarks follow a shocking report by The New York Times, which included allegations from John Kelly, Trump’s longest-serving chief of staff. Kelly claimed that Trump had praised Adolf Hitler on several occasions, asserting that the Nazi leader “did some good things.” This revelation raised alarms about Trump’s potential to govern with a dictator-like mindset, leading Kelly to label him as meeting the definition of a fascist.
During her address, Harris emphasized the significance of these claims. “This is a window into who Donald Trump really is, from the people who know him best,” she stated, referring to the troubling implications of Trump’s remarks about Hitler. Harris described the former president’s comments as “deeply troubling and incredibly dangerous,” particularly highlighting Trump’s recent rhetoric in which he has described political opponents as the “enemy from within.”
Harris elaborated on how Trump perceives dissent, noting that anyone who criticizes him or refuses to support him could be considered part of this “enemy.” This group includes judges, journalists, and nonpartisan election officials—individuals essential to a functioning democracy.
In response to the allegations, Trump’s campaign spokesperson, Steven Cheung, dismissed Kelly’s claims, stating that he had “totally beclowned himself with these debunked stories he has fabricated.”
Harris further elaborated on Trump’s alleged desire for military loyalty similar to that which Hitler commanded. “He does not want a military that is loyal to the United States Constitution,” she insisted. “He wants a military who will be loyal to him personally, one that will obey his orders even when he tells them to break the law or abandon their oath to the Constitution of the United States.”
Kelly recounted a revealing experience from his early days as Trump’s chief of staff, noting the need to explain to Trump that government officials take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Kelly remarked that it was a “big surprise” to Trump that loyalty should reside with the Constitution rather than with him personally.
