An open letter signed by thirteen former officials from the Trump administration has lent support to John Kelly, the former chief of staff who recently described Donald Trump as fitting the definition of a fascist. This significant endorsement highlights the ongoing concerns regarding Trump’s potential return to the White House.
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Kelly expressed his alarm about Trump’s behavior, stating, “We applaud General Kelly for highlighting in stark details the danger of a second Trump term.” The letter emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing the country over party loyalty during this crucial time in history.
Among the signatories are prominent figures such as former press secretary Stephanie Grisham, Miles Taylor, former chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security, and Olivia Troye, former national security adviser to Mike Pence. All three have transitioned to become vocal critics of Trump since leaving the administration. Troye and Grisham even addressed the Democratic National Convention earlier this year, further signaling their shift away from Trump’s policies.
In the interview, Kelly recounted instances where he heard Trump praising Adolf Hitler, a claim that has drawn significant attention and condemnation. These revelations coincide with a report from The Atlantic, which stated that Trump expressed a desire for generals like Hitler. The former officials described Kelly’s claims as both “disturbing and shocking,” while also noting that they were sadly not surprised given their experiences working with Trump.
Following the release of Kelly’s remarks, Trump vehemently denied ever having expressed admiration for Hitler, including statements about needing “the kind of generals that Hitler had.”
The letter was publicized by the Harris campaign, which is leveraging Kelly’s comments in a new advertisement. Kamala Harris highlighted these statements during her remarks on Wednesday, stating that they reveal critical insights into Trump’s character. She noted that if Trump were to win a second term, individuals like Kelly would not be there to serve as safeguards against his behavior.
Recent focus group findings from the Harris campaign indicate that undecided voters view Kelly as a credible and non-partisan figure, which may lead some to reconsider their support for Trump. As the 2024 election approaches, the implications of Kelly’s comments and the support from former officials could play a significant role in shaping public perception of Trump’s candidacy.
