Once Top Advisers to Trump, They Now Call Him ‘Liar,’ ‘Fascist’ and ‘Unfit’

A Threat to Democracy

Mr. Trump’s national security aides repeatedly described him as a danger to the country and to democracy. Many cited the Jan. 6 violence and his reaction to it as evidence of how he posed a threat to the country’s laws and norms. Others predicted a return to the White House would damage the country’s national security.

“Surely you can’t mean Hitler’s generals? And he said, ‘Yeah, yeah, Hitler’s generals.’”

“Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people — does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us.”

“Donald Trump will cause a lot of damage if he is elected in a second term.”

“The American people deserve to know that President Trump asked me to put him over my oath to the Constitution, but I kept my oath and I always will. I’m running for president in part because I think that anyone who puts himself over the Constitution should never be president of the United States.”

Ill-Informed and Incurious

Several officials have publicly questioned Mr. Trump’s intelligence, accusing him of knowing little about history and saying they observed him struggling to understand the complexities of the presidency. Some said he appeared not to be interested in learning about the issues he confronted.

“Trump lacked basic knowledge of how the government runs, and his impatience with learning about the roles of his senior officials and about alternative models for decision-making limited his ability to lead. When there was conflict, he avoided it or, at times, stoked it.”

“His understanding of global events, his understanding of global history, his understanding of U.S. history was really limited. It’s really hard to have a conversation with someone who doesn’t even understand the concept for why we’re talking about this.”

“His short attention span (except on matters of personal advantage) renders coherent foreign policy almost unattainable. The United States missed an incalculable number of opportunities in Trump’s first term because senior officials necessarily concentrated on keeping a few key policies on track.”

Dishonest

Some members of Mr. Trump’s national security team accused him of lying while he was president. Several said he fabricated stories or willingly ignored facts. Others said they witnessed him lying about the results of the 2020 election despite knowing the truth.

“Trump was caught in a vortex created by the interaction of those narratives with the fragility of his ego and his deep sense of aggrievement.”

“Our president must embody respect and adhere to the values that are at the core of this country. The most important being truth. This president is not able to do that.”

“So many people who had access to his ear who were telling him things, most of which were untrue, and then he began to listen to those voices and form a view that had no basis in fact. ”

Misplaced in His Loyalty

Some former aides said Mr. Trump was not loyal to his constituents because he failed to follow a standard conservative agenda. Many questioned his loyalty to the country after witnessing his actions after the election of 2020. Others said he proved disloyal by ignoring rules that govern how sensitive documents are handled.

“His ego and love of self distorted his perception of the 2020 presidential election. His sense of betrayal drove him to abandon his oath to ‘support and defend the Constitution,’ a president’s highest obligation.”

“He thought I would be loyal and obedient to him. I told him we were loyal to our oath to the Constitution. If he told you to slit someone’s throat, he thought you would go out and do it.”

“The president has very little understanding of what it means to be in the military, to fight ethically or to be governed by a uniform set of rules and practices.”

Disorderly and Undisciplined

National security advisers and military officials working for Mr. Trump said he created political and diplomatic chaos while in office. Some said they believed he enjoyed causing discord, while others said he pursued policies that triggered strife and disagreement among global allies. Some said he had a temper that added to the sense of chaos.

“He acts on his instincts. In some respects, that looks like impulsiveness, but it’s not his intent to act on impulse. I think he really is trying to act on his instincts.”

“He’s getting meaner and more offensive by the day. He’s trying to bully me and anyone who supports me.”

“A person that has nothing but contempt for our democratic institutions, our Constitution, and the rule of law.”

A Lawbreaker

“This is beyond wrong and illegal. It’s un-American. The President undermined American democracy baselessly for months.”

“I’ve never seen a defendant beg for it more. By attacking the judge, attacking the jury, attacking the witnesses.”

“Today’s violent assault on our Capitol, an effort to subjugate American democracy by mob rule, was fomented by Mr. Trump.”

Lacking in Integrity

One common theme among the former president’s most senior military and national security officials was what some described as a lack of integrity. Several said he was motivated only by self-interest, rather than what was good for the country or the government. Others commented on his ego or used the word “unfit” to describe him.

“I think he’s unfit for office. … He puts himself before country. His actions are all about him and not about the country. ”

“The facts, however, are clear that he is unfit to be President. If his first four years were bad, a second four will be worse, dismaying many ardent supporters.”

“This president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values. His leadership is transactional, ego driven, and about personal loyalty.”