WASHINGTON – Senator JD Vance, R-Ohio, was questioned regarding former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric about an “enemy from within,” and allegations of fascism from Trump’s past associates during several tense interviews.

This discussion followed comments from Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, who told The New York Times that he believes Trump lacks an understanding of the Constitution and the rule of law, even describing him as fitting the definition of a fascist.

In response, Vance criticized Kelly on Sunday, suggesting he and other former Trump aides who later criticized Trump came into the administration underestimating him and ended up getting dismissed.

“They all turned their backs on Donald Trump,” Vance asserted during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper.

Additionally, Vance elaborated on Trump’s ongoing criticisms of perceived “enemies” in the nation. Earlier this month, Trump indicated during a Fox News interview that the military might need to intervene to handle what he calls “radical-left lunatics” and “the enemy from within” should there be turmoil linked to the elections.

Here are YSL News’s highlighted moments from Vance’s confrontational discussions.

Vance Responds to Allegations of Fascism

Vice President Kamala Harris and various Democrats are emphasizing criticisms from former officials in the Trump administration who assert that the former president could undermine democracy if he returns to office.

Kelly articulated to the Times that Trump “definitely aligns with the general concept of fascism”; Mark Milley, former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, remarked to author Bob Woodward that Trump is “the most dangerous individual ever … I recognize he is a complete fascist.”

On CNN, Vance brushed off these accusations as those from disgruntled ex-employees who aimed to push Trump into unnecessary military operations in the Middle East and elsewhere.

“Their main issue with Donald Trump is that despite calling themselves conservatives, they instead yearn for America to engage in numerous misguided military battles,” Vance claimed.

The senator clashed with Tapper, who countered the notion that former Vice President Mike Pence believed he could ever “control” Trump. At one point, Tapper queried: “Are you campaigning to be vice president of the United States, or just vice president of red states?”

Former Representative Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, a prominent critic of Trump who has been campaigning alongside Harris, commented on CNN that Vance had previously expressed strong disdain for Trump prior to entering politics.

“What we are witnessing is the lengths to which someone will go to try to defend the person JD Vance once referred to as America’s Hitler,” Cheney stated.

In a message from 2016 to a friend, Vance admitted to fluctuating in his belief that Trump could be “America’s Hitler,” noting that he had changed his view during Trump’s presidency.

‘The Enemy from Within’

Trump has also suggested the possibility of military action against “the enemy from within,” a term he has recently employed broadly to describe everyone from violent protesters to influential Democratic leaders.

During his CNN interview, Vance stated that Trump was talking about “far-left extremists” who “destroy our cities,” and insisted that Trump would not resort to military force against individuals like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

“What he articulated, and I agree with this – the main threat we face as a nation isn’t from abroad; we can manage those foreign challenges,” he added on NBC’s “Meet The Press.”

Vance labeled left-wing political threats as greater dangers than external threats, pointing out concerns about leaders like Harris and Pelosi regarding the decline of the U.S. manufacturing sector and border security.

“The reality that Americans face with an unprotected southern border is a far greater threat than anything foreign,” Vance asserted on NBC. “And this is indeed a result of ineffective leadership.”

Gender Divide in Support

Polls indicate a competitive race, yet also highlight a significant gender gap among voters.

The latest YSL News/Suffolk University national poll reveals that women favor Harris 53% to 36%. This contrasts sharply with men, who predominantly support Trump 53% to 37%. If these trends persist until Election Day, it could signify the largest gender gap since this phenomenon was first recorded over forty years ago in 1980.

Vance stated on CBS that he does not perceive a “women problem” within the Republican Party, contending that their domestic and foreign policies benefit all Americans, irrespective of gender.

“We need to present our best case to both women and men effectively,” Vance asserted.

Abortion rights are among the central topics in the 2024 presidential race. Other reproductive issues, including access to in vitro fertilization, have also captured voters’ attention since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

While Harris has articulated specific policies targeting male voters, it remains uncertain how effective these measures have been, as Trump has made strides among men, particularly Black and Latino men.

Putin and the Ukraine Conflict

Vance’s series of interviews coincided with reports of renewed Russian interference in the election through false claims and deceptive images online.

For instance, the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence disclosed on Friday that Russia is behind a counterfeit video that depicts individuals destroying ballots.

In the critical battleground state of Pennsylvania,

During a discussion on “Meet the Press,” Vance refrained from labeling Russian President Vladimir Putin as an “enemy” of the United States. He described him instead as “clearly an adversary and a competitor.”

“However, we need to be wise about diplomacy,” Vance continued. “Disliking someone doesn’t mean we shouldn’t engage with them in discussions from time to time.”

This statement comes amid ongoing criticisms of NATO from the Republican ticket. Earlier this year, Trump suggested that he might refrain from assisting European nations if they faced a Russian attack, and could potentially “authorize” Russians to “do whatever the hell they want” if those countries fail to fulfill their financial obligations to the defense alliance.

Vance commented that sanctions against Russia have not achieved their intended goals, but he did not elaborate on how a Trump-Vance administration might alter these sanctions.

“We should urge our fellow Americans to exercise caution,” Vance stated on CBS. “Be skeptical about what you see on social media. And naturally, we need to respond appropriately when necessary.”

He further posed a challenging question: “What constitutes a suitable response to a country producing social media content? I can’t make a promise on that at this moment.”