Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a surprise speech in Washington, D.C., where she strongly criticized Donald Trump, labeling him as a “fascist” who seeks unchecked power. The speech followed reports that John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff, had revealed troubling details about Trump’s admiration for dictators, specifically Adolf Hitler.
Harris used the moment to contrast herself with Trump, emphasizing the dangers of another Trump presidency.
Harris Warns of Trump’s Authoritarian Tendencies
In her speech, Harris pointed to a stark warning for voters in the upcoming election. She accused Trump of wanting a military loyal to him personally, rather than to the U.S. Constitution.
“Donald Trump is increasingly unhinged and unstable,” Harris said, adding that, in a second Trump term, there would be no officials like John Kelly left to restrain his impulses. This, she argued, would lead to dangerous consequences for American democracy.
The comments from Kelly, a retired Marine general, surfaced in conversations with the New York Times.
According to Kelly, Trump had repeatedly praised Hitler and lamented not having military generals who showed him the same loyalty as those who served Hitler in Nazi Germany. Kelly’s recollections provided further evidence to Harris’s claims, as she noted Trump’s desire for unchecked power.
The Historical Weight of Trump’s Comments
Harris condemned Trump’s references to Adolf Hitler, calling it “deeply troubling” and dangerous. She emphasized that invoking Hitler, a dictator responsible for the Holocaust and the deaths of millions, revealed who Trump really was.
Harris also referred to Kelly’s assertion that Trump fits the definition of a fascist, someone who vowed to rule as a dictator and use the military for personal and political vendettas.
This was not the first time Harris had used the term “fascist” to describe Trump. In a recent interview, she agreed with a radio host’s assertion that Trump’s vision amounted to fascism.
While she didn’t use the term directly then, her comments this week were the clearest indication yet of her strategic shift toward a more aggressive critique of Trump.
A Shift in Harris’s Campaign Strategy
Harris’s remarks marked a notable shift from her earlier campaign approach. Initially, her campaign tried to downplay Trump’s impact by mocking his obsession with rally sizes and other trivial matters.
However, with just days before the election, her tone has become more direct, calling attention to the serious consequences of a second Trump term.
Harris’s speech was a clear attempt to differentiate herself from Trump and warn voters of the potential dangers he posed. She urged Americans to choose a leader who would respect the Constitution and uphold democratic values.
The speech also echoed warnings from other former military leaders, such as General Mark Milley, who had called Trump a “fascist to the core” in recent comments. Milley, the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, had been targeted by Trump, who suggested he should be executed.
In conclusion, Harris’s speech was a pivotal moment in the final weeks of the campaign, as she sought to highlight the stark contrast between her vision for America and Trump’s.
With accusations of fascism and authoritarianism now at the center of her messaging, Harris is positioning herself as the defender of democracy in the face of what she describes as Trump’s dangerous ambitions for unchecked power. The question now is how voters will respond to these heightened stakes as the election approaches.
