Trump's former staff warns America
During Donald Trump's presidency, several top officials who were appointed by him have since become some of his most vocal critics. Figures like former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, National Security Advisor John Bolton, General James Mattis, General Mark Milley, and Chief of Staff John Kelly have all spoken out about their concerns, particularly as Trump eyes a potential return to the White House.
Former Chief of Staff John Kelly, who served as Trump’s longest-tenured chief aide, recently condemned Trump in stark terms. In October 2023, Kelly publicly stated that Trump is “a person that has no idea what America stands for,” adding that “the depths of his dishonesty” are staggering. Kelly’s comments reflect a deep unease with Trump’s leadership, and he has warned Americans about the dangers of Trump regaining power, citing his divisive policies and character.
Mark Esper, Trump’s former Defense Secretary, has shared similar sentiments. In his book A Sacred Oath, Esper detailed several troubling incidents, such as Trump’s suggestion to use military force against protesters in Washington, D.C. Esper later described Trump’s behavior as “unfit for office” and suggested that the former president was not guided by the rule of law but by personal and political impulses.
John Bolton, who served as National Security Advisor, has not held back in his criticism either. In The Room Where It Happened, Bolton described Trump as dangerously uninformed, particularly on matters of foreign policy. Bolton has stated that Trump would be more concerned with his re-election than with national security, and that a second term could damage U.S. relations with its allies and destabilize global diplomacy.
Former Defense Secretary James Mattis resigned over fundamental disagreements with Trump, especially regarding the abrupt withdrawal of U.S. troops from Syria. Mattis later said that Trump is “a threat to the Constitution,” and has condemned his handling of national security and the military.
General Mark Milley, who served as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was privately alarmed by Trump’s erratic behavior, particularly during the January 6 insurrection. He reportedly compared Trump’s authoritarian tendencies to historical despots and expressed fears about the former president’s influence over the military.
Rex Tillerson, Trump’s first Secretary of State, is perhaps best known for reportedly calling Trump a “moron” during a private meeting. Tillerson has since expressed concerns about Trump’s lack of understanding in foreign policy and governance. Like his former colleagues, Tillerson has pointed to Trump’s unpredictable nature as a serious risk should he return to office.
Collectively, these former officials have issued dire warnings about Trump’s potential return to the White House, citing his erratic leadership, disregard for national security, and the constitutional norms they believe he would continue to undermine.
AP News, Reuters, CNN, The Washington Post, The Room Where It Happened, A Sacred Oath
