A Response to Donald Trump's Veteran's Day Comments
Fascism Has Indeed Come to America Wearing a Suit
On Veterans Day, former President Donald Trump stated that political opponents of his were "vermin" that would be "rooted out" if he won re-election.
This is an escalation of Trump's already inflammatory rhetoric over the past few months. With legal walls closing in on him, Trump is showing his true colors, that of a dictator. In fact, in the same speech, Trump described the world's current three leading dictators, Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as "capable, confident, smart, tough," once again lavishing praise on the worst leaders in the world, the exact leaders he wishes to emulate.
In defending Trump's indefensible comments, Steven Cheung, Trump campaign spokesperson, actually worsened the situation by stating that those complaining would have "...their entire existence crushed" when President Trump returned to the White House.
These are not the comments of a serious candidate for President of a democracy, but they are the comments of a seriously dangerous wannabe dictator and fascist. Donald Trump has never respected elections and democracy, as January 6th taught us, and re-electing him would bring an end to our 200 plus year old experiment in American democracy.
For the future of our children and our country, and out of respect for our past and those who fought and died to protect our freedom, we cannot ever elect anyone to any office who says and thinks these things, much less the office of President of the United States.
Tom McMahan
Chair, Dade County Democratic Committee
Persian Gulf War Veteran, US Navy