What Donald Trump’s former allies say about their old boss

During his 2016 presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to bring in the most talented individuals from both the Republican Party and the business world to fill positions in his administration. He stated in an interview with the Washington Post at the time, "I intend to surround myself with only the most exceptional and dedicated people. We are looking for the highest caliber of professionals."

Eight years later, just before Trump’s third bid for the presidency, several of his former supporters and advisors have become some of his most vocal opponents. They are cautioning that if he wins, it could create divisions among the public and endanger democracy in the United States.

The critics include past advisers on foreign policy and national security, cabinet officials, chiefs of staff, attorneys general, communication personnel, and a high-ranking congressional member.

Here’s what a few of them shared:

Kelly, a retired Marine general, served as Trump's chief of staff for nearly 18 months starting in July 2017. Recently, he openly shared his thoughts about his former employer with the New York Times, describing Trump as a fascist who expressed admiration for Hitler while they were together.

"Undoubtedly, the former president aligns with far-right ideologies and exhibits authoritarian tendencies; he has openly expressed admiration for dictators," Kelly remarked. "Without a doubt, he fits the broader definition of fascism."

Mulvaney served as Trump’s chief of staff for a little over a year before taking on the role of special envoy to Northern Ireland. He has openly questioned Trump's chances of securing the Republican nomination in the 2024 election and decided to step down the day after the riot at the Capitol in 2021. During a CNBC appearance, Mulvaney commented, “After witnessing what happened yesterday, I can't imagine wanting to be associated with that in any capacity.”

In July, he expressed to NBC News that he believes this Republican candidate is the one who stands the greatest chance of losing in a general election compared to all our top contenders.

Haley, who was the leading opponent to Trump for the Republican presidential nomination, criticized him as being “unhinged.” However, she later switched her stance and expressed her support for him during the Republican National Convention in July. “I fully endorse Donald Trump, no doubt about it,” she stated.

Bill Barr, a vocal conservative who entered the Trump administration in 2018, resigned soon after his Department of Justice concluded there was no proof of the extensive election fraud that the former president alleged in 2020.

Barr likened Trump to a rebellious nine-year-old and claimed that he prioritizes his personal interests and ego over all else, even the country's well-being. Nevertheless, he stated in an interview with Fox News in April that he intends to support the Republican candidate in the upcoming November election.

Even though Pence was one of Trump’s longest-serving and most devoted associates, he did not agree to prevent Congress from certifying the 2020 election results, describing Trump as “delusional.” In March, he told Fox News, “It’s no shock that I won’t be supporting Donald Trump this year.”

In November 2020, Trump dismissed Esper shortly after Esper publicly disagreed with Trump's idea of sending in the military to handle anti-racism protests happening across several cities. In his memoir, Esper revealed that Trump had questioned him about whether American soldiers could open fire on protesters in the U.S.

In March, Esper expressed to CNN his concerns about enduring another four years with Donald Trump, describing him as a "danger to democracy."

Mattis, a former general regarded as one of the more serious figures in the Trump administration, resigned in 2018 when the president decided to withdraw troops from Syria, against Mattis's advice. For two years, he chose not to openly criticize Trump, speaking out only in 2020 to condemn the president's reaction to protests against racism.

“Donald Trump is the first president during my lifetime who doesn’t make an effort to bring Americans together — he doesn’t even pretend to. Instead, he focuses on creating divisions among us,” Mattis stated in an article that was inspired by the use of tear gas on protesters in Washington, DC, that summer.

Milley was Trump's chief military advisor during the last 16 months of his time in office, and he retired last year after a lengthy 44-year military career. He has described the former president as being “fascist to the core,” as noted in a book by Bob Woodward, who is an associate editor at the Washington Post. In his retirement address in September 2023, Milley emphasized that military personnel do not pledge loyalty to a king, queen, tyrant, or anyone aspiring to be a dictator.

In late 2019, Trump dismissed Bolton, his aggressive national security adviser who favored a strong U.S. presence on the global stage. In a recent memoir, Bolton expressed, "Trump is not suitable for the presidency. If his initial four years were problematic, the next four will be even more disastrous."

McMaster, who held the position before Bolton, stated that he would not take on a role in another Trump administration. He mentioned, “The president was looking for guidance, but he also craved admiration. He truly enjoys receiving praise. In a sense, he seems somewhat reliant on the admiration from his political supporters and those in his inner circle,” McMaster told CBS News earlier this summer.

Hill, an expert on Russia who played a key role as a witness during the Congressional impeachment hearings against Trump in 2019, worked in his White House for a period of two years.

In late 2021, Hill expressed her concerns, stating, "He's attempting to coerce and instill fear in everyone. It's troubling to see him targeting individuals within the Republican party who should understand the stakes. I'm quite disheartened that people aren't acknowledging the threat this poses to the United States."

The previous leader of the globe’s most influential intelligence agency stepped down from her position just a day prior to Joe Biden taking office. In statements featured in the book "Peril" by Washington Post journalists Bob Woodward and Rob Costa, she expressed her thoughts on Trump’s denial of Biden’s 2020 election win, saying, “We are heading towards a right-wing coup. This situation is utterly crazy. He’s behaving like a six-year-old throwing a tantrum.”

In 2017, Trump let go of Scaramucci only ten days after he took on the role of communications director. Since then, Scaramucci has become one of Trump’s most outspoken opponents. In an interview with the Financial Times last week, he said, "What Trump is doing is really harmful. His platform is built on three main issues: misogyny, racism, and anti-immigration. Ironically, this makes him the least American candidate for president."

Grisham served as the communications director at the White House and worked as press secretary for Melania Trump, the former first lady. She stepped down from her position on January 6, 2021, following the violent attack on the US Capitol.

Grisham expressed her frustration about Trump, stating, "He was angry that the cameras weren’t focused on him. He lacks compassion, strong values, and a commitment to honesty." This was during her endorsement of Kamala Harris at the Democratic National Convention this past summer.

Ryan served as the leading Republican in the US House of Representatives for four years and was the running mate for Mitt Romney during the presidential election in 2012.

Earlier this year, he expressed to Fox News that Trump is "not suitable for the position" and has also called him out in the past for being "self-absorbed" and for acting based on "what feels good to him at any particular time."

Chao, married to Mitch McConnell, the leading Republican in the US Senate, stepped down in the last days of the Trump presidency due to the events surrounding the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.

"In your message, the effect of your words on the situation is clear, and this is the turning point for me," Chao stated in her resignation letter.