Senator Bernie Sanders recently spoke on NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” expressing his views on former President Donald Trump's political behaviors.
In the interview, Sanders refrained from calling Trump a fascist, describing him instead as an authoritarian who jeopardizes U.S. democratic processes, the Hill reported.
Vice President Kamala Harris and other governmental figures have engaged in discussions about Trump’s authoritarian tendencies. In contrast, Sanders chose a slightly different terminology to describe the former president, focusing on his actions rather than labeling him outright.
During the “Meet the Press” interview, Sen. Bernie Sanders highlighted the January 6, 2021, insurrection, an event that marked a historic breach of democratic norms by seeking to impede the peaceful transition of power. Sanders pointed to this as a key example of Trump's authoritarian nature.
Sanders also noted that key Republican figures, including former Vice President Mike Pence and Senator Mitt Romney, have withheld their support for Trump’s reelection, opting not to back his return to the White House. According to Sanders, their reluctance stems from recognizing Trump's disregard for the rule of law rather than from policy disagreements.
Here, Senator Sanders elaborates on Trump’s disregard for democracy:
Look, this is a guy who provoked an insurrection in January — Jan. 6, 2021 — to prevent, for the first time in American history, a peaceful transfer of power. So does Donald Trump believe in democracy, believe in the rule of law?"
The lack of support from prominent Republicans, such as Mike Pence and Mitt Romney, indicates a significant shift in the party dynamics, as noted by Sanders. Both have decided against endorsing Trump's bid for the presidency, an action Sanders interprets as a clear signal of their concern over Trump’s leadership style.
This concern is echoed by Vice President Harris, who, during a CNN town hall, concurred with a character assessment of Trump aligning with fascist behaviors, confidently affirming such descriptions of Trump's approach to governance.
There is a reason why his vice president for four years, Mike Pence, says he is not supporting Donald Trump. Why Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican candidate, not supporting Donald Trump. And it’s not because of policy issues. It is because they understand that Trump is an authoritarian, does not believe in the rule of law, and for one hundred reasons is unfit to be president of the United States,”
Adding to the discussion, comments from Trump’s former White House chief of staff, retired General John Kelly, and former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, retired General Mark Milley, also branded Trump with terms that suggest authoritarian tendencies.
Sanders' discussion on the program placed significant importance on the historical context and implications of January 6, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the events that day. His choice of words aimed to evoke a sense of urgency about preserving democratic norms and procedures.
In the aftermath of these discussions on various platforms about Trump's governance style, Sanders remains focused on the broader implications of such leadership behavior on American democracy.
In conclusion, Sanders’s comments, alongside those from Vice President Harris and opinions from other political and military figures, form a narrative of concern around Trump's adherence to democratic principles. The collective distancing by high-profile Republicans and critical remarks from military leaders underscore a cautious approach toward Trump's candidacy and potential return to power.
