Appearing on "Meet the Press," Republican presidential candidate and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley said that Donald Trump's recent claim that Gen. Mark Milley should be executed for treason was irresponsible.
However, Haley indicated to NBC News that she doesn't see Trump's demands of execution as a disqualifying comment for his own presidency. Haley is running against Trump for the 2024 nomination, though some analysts have suggested she is actually running to be his vice president.
Authoritarianism expert Ruth Ben-Ghiat pointed to Haley's comments as concerning as the GOP continues to make a further turn toward fascism.
"Apparently the idea of executing Milley is now the Party Line. We are living through real-time preparation for an authoritarian crackdown. We are in a phase of 'getting the public used to the idea of violence,'" said Ben-Ghiat. "Having authoritative voices like Haley endorse violence is key."
Commenters wondered how Haley would respond if Trump said she should be executed.
