Donald Trump's former secretary of defense told CNN on Monday night he's taking the former president's concerning remarks "seriously" that he wants to use military force against the "enemy from within" — whom he has described as "radical left lunatics," "sick people" and even political opponents.
"I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people. Radical left lunatics,” Trump told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures.”
“I think it should be very easily handled by, if necessary, by National Guard, or if really necessary, by the military, because they can’t let that happen,” he said.
Mark Esper joined CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins on Monday night on her show, "The Source," and said he always takes the words of political leaders seriously, and this time is no different.
"Absolutely. He's spoken about this before. If you recall a year or so he spoke about a second term being about retribution so yes. I do think we should take those words seriously."
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Esper wrote in his book that Trump once asked if 2020 protesters against police brutality could be shot. When asked if he feared Trump could use the National Guard against Americans, Esper again replied, "Yes I do of course, because I lived through that."
He recalled that Trump wanted to use military force in cities such as Seattle, Portland and Chicago.
"That's what equally concerns me about his comment would be the use of the military in these types of things," he said.
But Esper also shared what he called, "the good news."
"I don't believe he has the authority under the law to use the military unless there were some type of civil disobedience or insurrection, in which case that would be the Use of the Insurrection Act. But otherwise, these other roles that he's described in the past are law enforcement and that is prescribed under the Posse Comitatus Act, so he would not be able to use it," said Esper.
When Collins took a step back and marveled that the former defense secretary was worried the commander in chief he served under would use the U.S. military against U.S. citizens, Esper said he believes Trump has learned the "key" is to surround himself with people who won't push back.
"I think loyalty will be the first litmus test," said Esper. "So, yes it concerns me on many levels, not least of which is the impact it could have on American citizens. It's the impact on the institution of the military. The impact it could have on the professional ethic of our officers and NCOs and soldiers and sailors."
Esper reiterated he believes Trump is "unfit" for the presidency and "puts himself before the country."
Watch the clip below or at this link.