Senate

Jeff Flake calls Trump’s language ‘authoritarian’

by Rachel Frazin - 10/08/19 10:42 AM ET

Former Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake (R) tweeted Monday that President Trump was using “authoritarian” language.

“I never thought I would live to see an American President speak this way, using language the can only be described as authoritarian,” Flake tweeted, referring to a tweet by Trump in which the president threatened to destroy Turkey’s economy if the country does anything “off limits.”

“Fellow Republicans, where is the line?” Flake added.

I never thought I would live to see an American President speak this way, using language the can only be described as authoritarian. Fellow Republicans, where is the line? https://t.co/UzYM1ciGnY

— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) October 7, 2019

Trump’s tweet was in defense of his decision to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria while Turkey plans to start a military operation there. Trump also touted his “great and unmatched wisdom.”{mosads}

“If Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!),” he wrote.

“The U.S. has done far more than anyone could have ever expected, including the capture of 100% of the ISIS Caliphate,” he added in a subsequent tweet. “It is time now for others in the region, some of great wealth, to protect their own territory. THE USA IS GREAT!”

Flake, a frequent Trump critic, retired from the Senate in January.

“Reckless, outrageous and undignified behavior has become excused as telling it like it is when it is actually just reckless, outrageous and undignified,” Flake said while announcing his retirement last year. “And when such behavior emanates from the top of our government, it is something else. It is dangerous to a democracy.”

Tags authoritarian Donald Trump Jeff Flake Trump tweets