Ex-Trump aides paint 'dystopian' picture of a possible second term: report

Some of the most strident voices warning of Donald Trump's anti-democratic plans for a second term are coming from his former aides and staffers, according to new reporting.

ABC News correspondent Jonathan Karl spoke to The Bulwark's Bill Kristol about some of the disturbing preparations Trump's former aides and staffers told him in his new book, "Tired of Winning: Donald Trump and the End of the Grand Old Party."

"[Karl] told Kristol that 95 percent of the sourcing for his book came from Republicans, many of whom worked for Trump," the website reported. "The picture they painted for Karl was dystopian."

In the interview, Karl detailed Trump plans to sidestep Senate confirmation fights by using acting appointments up and down his administration, along with thousands of political appointees, selected for their personal loyalty, to replace seasoned career civil servants.

These lieutenants would act with the understanding that Trump would pardon them if they broke any laws and that Trump is seeking retribution against his perceived enemies, Karl said.

The interview prompted Bulwark editor John Last to qualify Karl's expertise.

"I cannot emphasize this enough – this is not a prediction from me and my weirdo, Never Trump friends," wrote Last. "This is what the people who worked for Trump believe he will do.

"And the picture they painted for Karl was dystopian."