'Openly fascist': Trump campaign stuns onlookers by sharing his 'enemy within' double-down
Former President Donald Trump's decision to double down Wednesday on his threats of the "enemy within" — and his campaign's hasty efforts to spread the word — stunned onlookers who said they fear a looming authoritarian regime.
Trump's War Room was quick to post video on X of Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner's interview with Trump and his response to concerns that he would use his executive power to sic the military on political rivals.
"FAULKNER: 'Kamala Harris has said you sounded unhinged and unchecked power is in our future,'" the Trump campaign tweeted. "TRUMP: 'They are a party of soundbites... And it is the enemy from within. They are very dangerous.'"
Trump went on to list the people and political groups he argued should be considered enemies of the people, among them Marxists, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), fascists, communists, and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
"It is the enemy from within," Trump said. "They're very dangerous...and they're sick."
ALSO READ: An indicted lawyer at the RNC’s election integrity unit is still spreading election lies
Journalist and political commentator S.V. Dáte expressed surprise that not only had Trump echoed his claims — despite concerns that such political rhetoric could result in physical violence and foreshadowed a tyrannical state should he win — but his team had boasted of it.
"That his campaign thinks the openly fascist 'enemy from within' is a good thing to repeat," wrote Dáte, "tells you all you need to know."
Added constitutional law professor Anthony Michael Kreis, "Trump repeatedly calls for tyrannical rule, saying his political opponents are 'enemies from within' and threatening force against them. You can't love the Constitution and call for the end of republican government."