Senator Lindsey Graham has openly contested former White House Chief of Staff John Kelly’s characterization of Donald Trump as a fascist.
In a recent exchange, Senator Graham defended the former president, countering General Kelly’s assertions with a citation of Trump’s achievements in office, Fox News reported.
During an appearance on ABC's "This Week," Senator Graham addressed remarks made by John Kelly in which the retired four-star general described Trump as embodying the "general definition of a fascist." This comment was part of an interview Kelly gave to The New York Times last week. Senator Graham categorized Kelly’s criticism as more emotional than factual and mounted a robust defense of Trump’s tenure, citing his policy successes.
"[Kelly’s] undermining a concept that's been good for America," Senator Graham stated. He advocated for the apolitical posture traditionally held by military leaders and expressed disappointment in the generals’ criticisms.
Senator Graham pointed to several areas of success under Trump’s administration, including robust support for Israel, strengthened border security measures, the absence of new wars, and maintaining low inflation rates. He argued that these accomplishments were indicative of effective leadership rather than dictatorial tendencies.
Senator Graham's rebuke extended beyond Kelly. He condemned the broader criticism from retired military leaders like Mark Milley and Jim Mattis, both of whom have publicly expressed reservations about Trump's leadership style.
Senator Graham also directed criticism towards the Democratic campaign, suggesting that by attacking Trump, they were showing signs of desperation in the closing weeks of the election season.
Suggesting an unfounded shift toward extreme rhetoric, Senator Graham commented on the perceived despair within the opposition's campaign. "Three weeks before the election, you're calling Trump Hitler, a fascist, is not going to resonate," the senator continued. "What happened to joy on the Democratic side? They went from joy to now Trump is Hitler. Well, that's desperation."
Regarding Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Graham clarified his view, distinguishing it sharply from that of Kelly's view on Trump. He stated, "Do I think Kamala Harris is a fascist? No. [Do] I think she's a communist? No. I think she's the most liberal person ever to be nominated by a major party. I think she's ineffective. I think she's incompetent," critiquing her effectiveness rather than assigning extreme political labels.
Senator Graham further lamented the current political climate, emphasizing that the shift towards fearmongering signified a strategic move by the Democratic campaign to stoke concerns among voters about a potential second Trump presidency.
"That shows you how desperate this campaign is, you’ve got three retired generals who have been out of the game for a while, three weeks before the election, and trying to replace joy with fear," said Graham, concerning the timing and nature of the public criticisms levied by Kelly and others.
The senator remained firm in his stance, calling General Kelly's critique not just sad and emotional, but also unsubstantiated. "I think General Kelly's criticisms are not based on facts," he asserted. "I think it's emotional, it's sad, and it's not going to matter."
In conclusion, Senator Lindsey Graham's staunch defense of former President Trump contrasts sharply with John Kelly's stark critique, highlighting the polarized views within American political and military circles. As the election nears, these debates underscore the intense scrutiny and rhetorical fervor characteristic of contemporary political campaigns.
