MAGA voters had plenty of warning about Trump's intention to model authoritarians

Although it is heartbreaking to realize how voters chose to ignore the horrible danger waarnings about a second Trump administrtion, the fact is, many did not hear General John Kelly's interview in The New York Times. Among the people I spoke with, many were unfortunately unaware of his first hand experience working in the first failed Trump administration.

Donald Trump  and Russia's President Vladimir Putin on July 16, 2018

This opinion letter publishd in The New York Times is a retrospective about what General Kelly said because, given the reality of a second Trump administraation, we must remember how we were forewarned.

Dear Editor: America, please listen ⚠ to and heed the warnings of John Kelly. This is real, Donald Trump is not bluffing — he will rule like a dictator.

Some of the many examples that back this up: Look at how Trump so viciously treated John McCain and Mark Milley, showing how he has no respect for our military. Look at how Mr. Trump demands absolute loyalty to him.

Remember when he stood with Vladimir Putin in Helsinki and believed Mr. Putin over our own intelligence and security services. Recall the articles we have read about Mr. Trump’s advisers continuing to look for ways to expand presidential powers.

And perhaps most dangerous of all, look at all the Republicans in Congress who continue to remain silent as Mr. Trump takes even more actions and makes statements that indicate his favoring an authoritarian regime. These Republicans will play a giant role in ushering in such a regime.

The writing is on the wall; General John Kelly* has put it there. Believe him.

From Howard Herman in Skokie, Illinois

*General Kelly was born and raised in Boston, MA. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1970, and was discharged as a sergeant in 1972, after serving in an infantry company with the 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, NC. Following graduation from the University of Massachusetts in 1976, he was commissioned and returned to the 2nd Marine Division where he served as a rifle and weapons platoon commander, company executive officer, assistant operations officer, and infantry company commander. 

John Francis Kelly (born May 11, 1950) is an American former political advisor and retired U.S. Marine Corps general who was White House chief of staff for President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019. He had previously been Secretary of Homeland Security in the Trump administration and was commander of United States Southern Command.