**Trump’s Authoritarian Remarks Face GOP Defense and Criticism**

Over the weekend, former President Donald Trump made remarkably authoritarian statements, suggesting the use of military force to target his political opponents and even American citizens. Despite these alarming comments, several Republican figures have rushed to defend and downplay Trump’s words.

In an interview with Fox News' Maria Bartiromo, Trump highlighted what he sees as the real threat on Election Day, pointing not to immigration issues but to "the enemy from within." He described this enemy as comprising "very bad people, some sick people, radical left lunatics," and suggested that dealing with them might require military intervention.

Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin of Virginia attempted to shift the narrative by framing Trump's remarks as concerns over immigration. When questioned by CNN's Jake Tapper, Youngkin insisted that Trump's comments were being misinterpreted, aiming to redirect the focus to "people coming over the border" rather than domestic adversaries. Tapper, however, directly countered Youngkin by quoting Trump’s statements about "radical left lunatics," including Congressman Adam Schiff.

Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, running as Trump’s vice-presidential candidate, echoed a similar downplaying. When asked about Trump's statements, Vance suggested that the response to use military force against Americans depends on the situation, specifically citing the unrest seen during the summer of 2020 and post-2016 election protests. Vance maintained his belief in the unfounded claim that Trump won the 2020 election and indicated he would have supported Trump’s attempt to overturn the electoral college certification.

Republican Representative Mike Waltz also downplayed Trump's comments, attributing a different context to them. Waltz referenced the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, highlighting them as an instance where deploying the National Guard could be justified. When asked if it was responsible for a candidate to propose using the military against political adversaries, Waltz avoided a direct response.

Contrasting with these defenses, former Trump Defense Secretary Mark Esper has raised concerns about Trump's rhetoric. On CNN, Esper emphasized that Trump's prior suggestions of using military force to manage protests should be taken seriously. Esper recalled a 2020 episode where Trump allegedly suggested shooting Black Lives Matter protesters in the legs, a moment he detailed in his book, "A Sacred Oath."

Vice President Kamala Harris seized the opportunity to highlight Trump’s authoritarian tendencies during a rally in Pennsylvania. Addressing the crowd, she criticized Trump’s attempts to label any opposition as an "enemy of our country," warning that a second Trump term poses significant risks to American democracy. Harris described Trump as increasingly unstable and seeking unchecked power.

The debate over Trump’s comments continues, illustrating the deep divisions within American politics and raising critical questions about the nation’s direction ahead of the next election.