Thirteen former officials from Donald Trump’s administration have united in an open letter supporting ex-chief of staff John Kelly’s assertion that Trump fits the definition of a fascist.

The letter, which garnered significant attention, emphasizes the troubling nature of Kelly’s revelations, stating, “The comments General Kelly brought forward are disturbing and shocking. However, we were sadly not surprised by what he had to say. This is who Donald Trump is.”

The signatories, all lifelong Republicans who served in various roles from 2017 to 2021, praised Kelly for underscoring the potential dangers of a second Trump term. “We did not take this decision lightly,” the letter continued, “but there are moments in history when it becomes essential to prioritize country over party. This is one of those moments.”

Highlighting their concerns, the former officials urged the public to heed Kelly’s warning, stating, “We have witnessed firsthand how Donald Trump operates and what he is capable of.” They argued that the American people deserve a leader who puts their needs over personal ambitions and does not idolize figures like Adolf Hitler.

“Everyone should heed General Kelly’s warning. We have witnessed, up close and personal, how Donald Trump operates and what he is capable of,” they wrote.

Among the prominent names signing the letter are former White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham, communications director Alyssa Farah Griffin, deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews, former communications director Anthony Scaramucci, and national security aide Olivia Troye.

Kelly, a retired four-star general who served as Trump’s chief of staff for 16 months, has previously expressed concern over Trump’s treatment of military veterans. His comments came in a recent New York Times interview, where he noted Trump’s dictatorial tendencies and his admiration for Hitler.

This letter follows Trump’s controversial remarks labeling critics as “the enemy within” and suggesting military intervention for domestic unrest. In response, Trump has dismissed Kelly, calling him a “lowlife” and a “degenerate,” while his campaign has described Kelly’s statements as “debunked stories.”