Trump suggests using National Guard or military against 'the enemy from within' on Election Day

In a Fox News Sunday Morning Futures interview with Maria Bartiromo aired October 13, 2024, Trump dismissed concerns about Election Day violence from his supporters and instead pointed to domestic political opponents, saying 'I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within' and describing 'some very bad people, some sick people, radical left lunatics.' He said the threat 'should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military.' He also said 'the enemy from within, in my opinion, is more dangerous than China, Russia, and all these countries,' and named Rep. Adam Schiff among the 'lunatics.' The Harris campaign and civil-military scholars characterized the remarks as a threat to deploy the armed forces against American citizens for political opposition; retired officers cited the comments in subsequent warnings, including John Kelly's assessment days later that Trump fits the definition of a fascist.

“And it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military.” Quote verified against source