- The Washington Times - Tuesday, October 15, 2024

Rep. Byron Donalds disputed former President Donald Trump’s claim that the military might be used to handle “radical left lunatics” if chaos ensues after the election.

“Obviously we don’t want to have the United States military, we’re not going to have that, be deployed in the United States,” Mr. Donalds, Florida Republican, told CNN’s Kasie Hunt on Tuesday. “That’s been long-standing law in our country since the founding of the republic.”

Mr. Donalds, an ally of Mr. Trump, did say it “could be appropriate” to use the National Guard if necessary.

Mr. Trump told Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo on “Sunday Morning Futures” that he thinks “the bigger problem is the enemy from within.”

“We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics,” he said, adding that it should “be very easily handled, if necessary, by the National Guard” or regular forces.

Mr. Donalds said a “peaceful transition of power” is all anyone is concerned about or wants.

He said the former president will “obviously” accept the results of the 2024 election even if he loses “as long as every state follows the procedures that are passed by state legislatures.

“All Donald Trump has ever said is, ’Look, follow the laws that are on the books, follow the procedures that are on the books.’ And as long as that occurs, everything will be fine.”

• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.

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