Donald Trump’s Own Words
We don’t have to guess what Donald Trump will do if he becomes president again…
He has told us in no uncertain terms.
Plans as President
“I want to be a dictator for one day.”
Donald Trump discussed his desire to be a dictator during a town hall with Sean Hannity. Like all autocrats, he demands loyalty and makes unilateral decisions without consulting experts. Those who disagree are removed and belittled in public to undermine their influence.
Autocratic leaders often rely on coercive power and punishment to ensure compliance, which leads to superficial loyalty driven by fear. Only yes-men and women will be invited to a Trump team, and there will be no guardrails against his dangerous impulses.
Those who have worked with Trump say he admires autocrats like Putin and Orban because he envies their power and wants the same for himself.
Believes in Suspending the Constitution
“A Massive Fraud of this type and magnitude allows for the termination of all rules, regulations, and articles, even those found in the Constitution.”
The Constitution was designed to protect against a dictator and lays out our fundamental freedoms and rights. However, Trump has said that he will terminate parts of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights, that get in his way.
For Example
The Constitution was designed to prevent the type of leader Donald Trump wants to be.
Believes in Political Revenge
Donald Trump considers his 91 indictments to be politically motivated rather than a result of his own actions. He has repeatedly told us that he will take political revenge with vengeance. Donald Trump is known for exacting revenge, emphasizing the need to "get even" with opponents. His plans for firing civil servants and politicizing those positions will allow him to use all Federal agencies as weapons against those he perceives as enemies.
“I will appoint a real special ‘prosecutor’ to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the usa, joe biden, the entire Biden crime family, & all others involved with the destruction of our elections, borders, & country itself!”
Left: NY Attorney General Letitia James (NY Times)
Right: DOJ Special Counsel Jack Smith (Reuters)
“On Day 1 of my new administration, I will direct the Department of Justice to investigate every radical district attorney and attorney general in America for their illegal, racist-in-reverse enforcement of the law.”
“I say up front, openly, and proudly, that when I WIN the Presidency of the United States, the Lame Stream Media will be thoroughly scrutinized for their knowingly dishonest and corrupt coverage of people, things, and events. They are a true threat to Democracy and are, in fact, THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!”
Fan of Hitler
“Hitler did a lot of good things.”
While in Europe commemorating 100 years since the end of World War I, Donald Trump praised Hitler for his efforts to revitalize the German economy during the 1930s. An astonished General Kelly outright disagreed and argued that the German people would have been better off poor than subjected to the Nazi genocide. Trump was undeterred despite the General providing the former President with an impromptu history lesson – connecting the dots between World War I and World War II.
January 6, 2021
The events of January 6, 2021 are a stain on American history. The riot resulted in significant violence and chaos; around 140 members of law enforcement were assaulted, and the violence led to the deaths of five individuals.
More than 1,240 were arrested and charged with crimes related to the insurrection-inspired mob attack on the Capitol. More than 900 have been convicted of crimes or pleaded guilty in court. Only two have been acquitted. Each defendant was provided due process and legal representation in court to argue their case, according to the rule of law. They were found guilty by juries of their peers, and in some cases by judges.
“If I run and if I win, we will treat those people from January 6 fairly. And if it requires pardons, we will give them pardons because they are being treated so unfairly.”
Trump refers to the rioters, who have been convicted of violently attacking the Capitol and police on January 6, as “hostages,” and promises to give them pardons, sending a clear message to the Proud Boys and others that they will have a free pass to engage in more political violence.
Disrespect for the Military
Donald Trump has consistently shown disrespect towards the military, with first-hand reports from people who worked directly with him. His utter disdain and derogatory comments about fallen soldiers and veterans include disparaging distinguished veterans such as James Mattis and John McCain.
Some of Trump’s most egregious comments include
Losers and Suckers
In a conversation with senior staff members on the morning of a scheduled visit to Aisne-Marne American Cemetary near Paris, Trump said, “Why should I go to that cemetery? It’s filled with losers.” In a separate conversation on the same trip, Trump referred to the more than 1,800 Marines who lost their lives at Belleau Wood as “suckers” for getting killed.
Known for frequently insulting the intelligence of career military officers, Donald Trump described military officials as "some of the dumbest people I've ever met in my life" during a campaign rally in Iowa.
In discussing Afghanistan strategy and planning, an irate Donald Trump barked, “You’re a bunch of dopes and babies.”
Dopes, Babies and Dumb
What’s in it for them?
At a 2017 Memorial Day commemoration at Arlington Cemetery, Trump commented, “I don’t get it. What was in it for them?” to his then-Secretary of Homeland Security, General John Kelly, about the graves of the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.
Our partners at National Security Action highlight the numerous statements and examples of contempt for those who serve our country made by Donald Trump.
Hates Immigrants
“Immigrants are poisoning the blood of this country.”
“I don’t know if you call them people...in some cases they’re not people, in my opinion. ”
Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free
This echo of Nazi rhetoric is designed to generate fear and hate and pit Americans against each other. Despite the fact that immigrants are important and positive contributors to America’s success and economic engine, Trump continues to create division among Americans based on heritage. Muslim bans and caricatures of Hispanic immigrants as rapists and thieves are just the beginning of how he will paint foreigners as threats and close the door to America.