Former President and GOP candidate Donald Trump sent shockwaves through the political conversation after saying some Democrats were "enemies from within" during a recent Fox News interview. The phrase sparked concerns by experts and voters alike over potential measures he could implement if he wins the upcoming elections. But instead of retracting his rhetoric, the nominee doubled down.
Trump acknowledged his categorization of Democrats during a night town hall on Tuesday in Cumming, Georgia, hosted by Fox News' Harris Faulkner. The broadcaster asked Trump to clarify the statement, to which he responded by calling the opposing party "evil" and "dangerous."
"They're Marxists and communists and fascists, and they're sick," Trump said. "We have China, we have Russia, we have all these countries. If you have a smart president, they can all be handled. The more difficult are, you know, the Pelosis, these people, they're so sick and they're so evil."
He continued by arguing that his comments were a "nice presentation" and that he wasn't "unhinged," as Vice President Kamala Harris described him after learning about them.
That same day, at another event in Chicago, Trump also once again refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power when pressed by an interviewer.
Trump's controversial comments took place after Fox News' host Maria Bartiromo asked the former president whether he was "expecting chaos on Election Day," particularly highlighting participation from people on the terrorist watch list or migrants who have committed crimes.
"I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within," Trump responded. "We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics. And I think they're the big— and it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by the National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can't let that happen."
Vice President Kamala Harris quickly responded to Trump's declaration, calling a second Trump term "dangerous" at a Pennsylvania rally and releasing an ad titled "Enemy Within." She also called him "increasingly unstable and unhinged," saying he plans to use the military against American citizens and is "out for unchecked power."
Harris' running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, also reacted to Trump's comments, describing it as a "call for violence."
"He's suggesting that is going to send the military against the 'enemy from within.' In other words, Americans who don't support him. It's a call for violence and it's pretty damn un-American," Walz said.
This isn't the first time Trump exhibits such behavior. Most notably, he continues to refuse to accept the results of the 2020 election, embracing conspiracy theories of large-scale voter fraud and accusations that the justice system is being weaponized against him. He has also praised authoritarian leaders like President Vladimir Putin of Russia and Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary.
Nevertheless, this is the first time an American presidential nominee— let alone a former president— escalates his rhetoric to this extent, openly suggesting turning the military on citizens simply because they oppose his candidacy, according to The New York Times.
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