Former President Donald Trump has refused to rule out abusing presidential power if he returns to the White House, stating he would be a dictator “except for day one.” The comments came during a town hall event in Iowa with Fox News host Sean Hannity, where Trump was pressed to deny he would use power as retribution.
When asked by Hannity twice to promise he would never abuse power for revenge, Trump replied, “Except for day one.” He clarified that on that day he would close the southern border and expand oil drilling. “After that, I’m not a dictator,” he added.
Trump’s remarks have intensified alarm among Democrats, who point to his campaign rhetoric about targeting rivals and firing federal bureaucrats. Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez stated, “Donald Trump has been telling us exactly what he will do if he’s reelected and tonight he said he will be a dictator on day one. Americans should believe him.”
President Biden, speaking to donors, warned that democracy is “more at risk in 2024” and that Trump and his allies are “determined to destroy American democracy.” Biden noted Trump’s use of the term “vermin,” historically used by dictators including Adolf Hitler.
Trump has sought to turn the tables on Biden, arguing the president is the real “destroyer of American democracy” and that criminal indictments against him are politically motivated. The former president is skipping the fourth Republican debate to attend a fundraiser, as he continues to dominate his rivals in Iowa ahead of the 15 January caucuses.
