Dark warning as 'cornered' Trump faces 'worst-case scenario': 'Prepare for the unexpected'

Iraq War veteran and national security commentator Paul Rieckhoff issued an ominous warning Monday about President Donald Trump’s behavior after the midterm elections, cautioning that the president could become even more unpredictable if Republicans suffer major losses.

Paul Rieckhoff, host of the “Independent Americans” podcast, sounded the alarm during a CNN panel discussion about Trump’s unusual election-eve speech, which focused heavily on renovations to a Washington reflecting pool and golf course.

“I think this is also what we should brace for no matter what happens tomorrow, because he is going to be all gas, no brakes, and maybe even more so,” Rieckhoff said.

“I think he may be even accepting the loss,” he added. “And a cornered animal is a dangerous animal.”

Rieckhoff raised particular concerns about Trump’s foreign policy decisions, pointing to talk of escalating military action against Iran and Cuba.

“I think we have to prepare for the unexpected and don't have a failure of imagination, because Trump never does,” he warned.

The veteran said Americans should be prepared for potentially unpredictable actions involving the country’s national security apparatus in the days following the election.

His warning Monday came as CNN White House correspondent Kristen Holmes reported that Trump has privately discussed a devastating outcome for Republicans.

“Privately to some allies and advisers, he has predicted the worst-case scenario, which is that democrats win both chambers of Congress,” Holmes reported.

She added that Trump had discussed what such an outcome could mean for his presidency, including congressional investigations and potential impeachment hearings.

"So in the next 24 hours and what comes afterward, I think we have to really be prepared, especially for the national security apparatus that he operates, to do some unpredictable and unexpected things," Rieckhoff concluded.