US Vice President Kamala Harris recently characterized Donald Trump as “increasingly unhinged,” expressing profound concern over his purported admiration for Adolf Hitler, as revealed by a former high-ranking aide. She described this praise as “incredibly dangerous” and alarming.
This pointed critique from the Democratic leader surfaced a mere 13 days before the climactic day of their challenging presidential contest. Speaking outside her residence in Washington, Harris reacted to statements made by Trump’s former chief of staff, retired Marine General John Kelly, who disclosed Trump’s unsettling admiration for the Nazi leader and his military endeavors during World War II.
“It is deeply unsettling and remarkably perilous that Donald Trump would reference Adolf Hitler, a figure responsible for the deaths of six million Jews and the suffering of countless others, including American soldiers,” Harris asserted, just moments before heading to a televised town hall in the critical swing state of Pennsylvania.
In an exclusive interview with The New York Times, General Kelly recounted that Trump remarked, “Hitler did some good things too,” and expressed a desire for military leaders akin to those who served under the Führer. He further amplified his concerns by asserting that he believes Trump “definitely falls within the broad definition of fascism.” Such statements are not made lightly; they carry weight and significance.
Turning her attention directly to Trump, Harris warned, “Donald Trump is becoming increasingly unhinged and volatile. If granted another term, individuals like John Kelly would not be around to act as checks and balances against his erratic inclinations and actions.” She emphasized, “The crux of the matter is this: we understand Trump’s ambitions. He seeks unchecked power over everything.” Harris sternly cautioned that Trump desires a military that reports to him personally, rather than upholding the US Constitution.
On another front, Trump’s campaign has leveled accusations at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party for what they term “blatant foreign interference” in the ongoing US presidential election. This accusation arose after volunteers from the party traveled across the Atlantic to support Harris’s campaign.
In a formal complaint lodged with the Federal Election Commission in Washington, the Trump team called for an investigation into what they allege are illicit contributions from Labour to the Harris campaign. It’s important to note, however, that British political operatives have historically lent their support to US elections, typically with Labour aligning with the Democrats and Conservatives siding with Republicans.
Unnamed British officials revealed that some senior advisers from the Labour Party recently engaged with Democrat strategists. Their discussions were informed by Labour’s sweeping electoral victory in July, focusing on strategies that enabled them to reclaim pivotal areas that had previously spurned them in 2019.
Starmer countered claims that this complaint would jeopardize relations between himself and Trump, asserting that party supporters are volunteering on their own accord. Nevertheless, the complaint introduces a layer of complexity into the political landscape.
The former president had previously praised Starmer during a meeting at Trump Tower last month, demonstrating that personal relationships can often be unpredictable. Greg Swenson, chair of Republican Overseas UK, noted that while Trump is often erratic in his responses, an election win might not necessarily sour relations with Starmer. “Trump often takes things personally, and disputes can linger,” he observed, adding, “Despite a bit of potential bruising, I believe he will likely move on fairly quickly.”
In the realm of US election laws, foreigners are permitted to volunteer on campaigns but are explicitly barred from making financial contributions. Historical precedent illustrates this, as Bernie Sanders’s campaign faced penalties after it was discovered that the Australian Labour Party sponsored travel for their volunteers to aid his efforts.
Trump’s current complaint references media reports alongside a now-deleted LinkedIn post from Sofia Patel, the operational head of the British Labour Party. This post indicated that nearly 100 staff members would travel to the US shortly, aiming to bolster Harris’s campaign.
In their letter to the FEC, the Trump campaign stated, “I write on behalf of Donald J. Trump for President 2024, Inc. to urgently demand an investigation into blatant foreign interference in the 2024 Presidential Election through obvious illegal contributions from foreign nationals.” They added, “Those inclined to investigate foreign meddling need only to examine the aforementioned LinkedIn post; interference is occurring right in front of our eyes.”
Moreover, in a press release whimsically titled “The British Are Coming,” Trump’s campaign criticized the “far-left Labour Party” for inspiring what they perceive as “Kamala’s dangerously liberal policies and rhetoric.” Starmer, speaking to reporters while traveling to Samoa, reiterated that Labour volunteers typically lend their efforts during every US election cycle, emphasizing that “They are engaged in this endeavor during their own time as volunteers, staying with fellow supporters while there.”
In this complex and charged atmosphere, the forthcoming elections promise to be nothing short of dramatic, revealing the ever-evolving landscape of political allegiances and challenges.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
