| 'THE ENEMY FROM WITHIN': As the presidential race enters its climatic final weeks, there is no talk of "the loyal opposition." Gone are the days when Republican candidate John McCain referred to his opponent, then-Democratic nominee Barack Obama, as a "decent family man that he just happens to have disagreements with." Former President Donald Trump's latest line of attack is not just against Vice President Kamala Harris, but is aimed at her supporters, who he has labeled "scum" and "sick, radical left lunatics" whose protests may have to be put down with active-duty military troops. "I protect you against outside enemies. But, you know, I always say we have the outside enemy. So, you can say China, you can say Russia," Trump said at a Friday rally in Aurora, Colorado. "But that's not it … It's the enemy from within. All the scum that we have to deal with that hate our country, that's a bigger enemy than China and Russia." On Fox's Sunday Morning Futures, Trump was asked by host Maria Bartiromo if he was "expecting chaos" on Election Day. "No, I don't think so, not from the side that votes for Trump," the former president replied. "I think the bigger problem is the enemy from within." "We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics. And I think it should be very easily handled by — if necessary, by the National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military, because they can't let that happen." 'CROSSING A DARK RED LINE': It's not the first time Trump ruminated about deploying the military to crush protests by citizens who oppose him. In June of 2020, Trump was outraged by a gathering of mostly peaceful demonstrators gathered in Lafayette Square across the street from the White House and asked the Pentagon for 10,000 troops to respond. "I shook my head in disbelief. I knew some of the protesters had become violent and damage had occurred," then-Defense Secretary Mark Esper recalled in his memoir A Sacred Oath. "But the perpetrators were a small minority in a much larger crowd. Law enforcement, as well as some D.C. National Guardsmen who were on duty to support them, suffered injuries; otherwise, they had things under control." However, Trump wanted to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act to "dominate the streets," a move Esper and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley vigorously opposed. "I don't see the need to deploy any active-duty forces to the capital," Esper told Trump. "There simply aren't that many people committing violence to warrant such a move." "Can't you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something?" Trump asked at one point in frustration. "I couldn't believe the president of the United States just suggested the U.S. military shoot our fellow Americans in the streets of the nation's capital," Esper wrote. "What transpired that day would leave me deeply troubled about the leader of our country and the decisions he was making … I had seen many red flags, many warnings, and many inconsistencies. But now we seemed on the verge of crossing a dark red line." MILLEY: 'FASCIST TO THE CORE': Trump's advocacy of using the military to quell protests comes as he continues to paint a portrait of America in decline and being destroyed by illegal immigration. "You'll have Venezuela on steroids," he said on Fox. "And that's what you're going to have if you don't vote for Trump." And it comes as Bob Woodward's book War, just out today, describes the depth of concern the nation's top military officer had during Trump's first term about his authoritarian proclivities and disregard for the bedrock principle of having an apolitical military. Woodward described a conversation with Milley when the retired general pulled him aside at a Washington reception in March of last year. "No one has ever been as dangerous to this country as Donald Trump," Milley told Woodward. "We have got to stop him!" Milley said. "You have got to stop him! He is the most dangerous person ever." "Now I realize he's a total fascist. He is the most dangerous person to this country … A fascist to the core!" Milley repeated. "I will never forget the intensity of his worry," Woodward wrote. Trump has promised, if elected, to fire all the "woke generals" at the Pentagon and has hinted at prosecuting Milley as a traitor for his private discussions with his Chinese counterpart near the end of Trump's term in office. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ), a retired Navy captain, said recalling Milley to active duty to court-martial him is a valid concern for Milley. "If you're retired from the military, you can be called back to active duty for a number of reasons. So it's not like that threat is unfounded and not difficult to do," Kelly said on MSNBC. "He has made it very clear that his — second presidency of Donald Trump would be one of retribution. He has said that." WALZ REIGNITES ATTACKS AGAINST TRUMP DURING WISCONSIN SWEEP: 'FASCIST TO HIS CORE' Good Tuesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyre's Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Christopher Tremoglie. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesn't work, shoot us an email and we'll add you to our list. And be sure to follow me on Threads and/or on X @jamiejmcintyre. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP OR READ BACK ISSUES OF DAILY ON DEFENSE HAPPENING TODAY: As Israel prepares its military response to Iran's Oct. 1 attack, which saw a barrage of 200 ballistic missiles launched into Israel, the U.S., for the first time, is sending troops to help beef up the country's missile defenses. U.S. naval vessels in the Mediterranean Sea used ship-based missile defenses to blunt the Iranian attack, which nevertheless caused an estimated $40 million to $53 million in damage to private property. However, the Sunday order to dispatch a Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery and associated crew of about 100 U.S. military personnel is the first time the U.S. will have boots on the ground defending Israel. A THAAD system was previously deployed "in the region." "The THAAD Battery will augment Israel's integrated air defense system," Maj. Gen. Pat. Ryder said in a statement issued over the weekend. "This action underscores the United States' ironclad commitment to the defense of Israel, and to defend Americans in Israel, from any further ballistic missile attacks by Iran." Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the deployment in a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday, in which he also expressed condolences for four Israeli soldiers killed in a Sunday night drone attack on an army base by Hezbollah. It’s the deadliest Hezbollah strike since Israel launched its ground invasion of Lebanon nearly two weeks ago. US TO DEPLOY ADVANCED AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM AND TROOPS TO ISRAEL REPORT: NUKE, OIL SITES OFF THE TABLE: The Washington Post reports this morning that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has agreed to limit Israel’s retaliatory strike to military targets in what appears to be a bid to avoid a wider escalation with Iran. President Joe Biden has previously said he would not endorse an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, something which Donald Trump and various other Republicans have supported. "When Biden and Netanyahu spoke Wednesday — their first call in more than seven weeks after months of rising tensions between the two men — the prime minister said he was planning to target military infrastructure in Iran," the Washington Post reported, citing "a U.S. official and an official familiar with the matter." The Biden administration argued that striking oil facilities, while delivering a crippling blow to Iran's oil revenue, would also send energy prices soaring. "We listen to the opinions of the United States, but we will make our final decisions based on our national interest," Netanyahu's office said. IRAN CUTS OFF INDIRECT COMMUNICATION LINE WITH US AMID ESCALATING TENSION DID AUSTIN REALLY SAY THAT?: One of the questions surrounding any of Bob Woodward's books is his use of what appear to be direct quotes — verbatim word-for-word sentences bracketed in quotation marks — even when it's clear he wasn't in the room. In a note to readers, Woodward explains his reporting under the journalism convention known as "deep background." "This means that all the information could be used, but I would not say who provided it," Woodward explains. "The information in this book comes primarily from my deep background interviews with firsthand participants and witnesses, or from contemporaneous meeting notes and documents." This brings us to one of the most dramatic passages in the book, when Austin faced down his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu. Austin said, "We know you are contemplating the use of a tactical nuclear weapon in Ukraine. If you did this, all the restraints that we have been operating under in Ukraine would be reconsidered." Shoigu responded, "I don't take kindly to being threatened," to which Austin replied, "I am the leader of the most powerful military in the history of the world. I don't make threats." Woodward read these passages in a segment on CBS Sunday Morning, and was asked by correspondent David Martin how he knew those quotes were accurate. “Because there are documents and witnesses,” Woodward replied. "Did you check them with Austin?" Martin pressed. "I had to; this is an important moment," Woodward said. "As I started reading this, Austin said, 'That's accurate. That's accurate.'" TAIWAN ANGERS CHINA SPARKING INTIMIDATION MILITARY DRILLS: Last week, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te delivered a speech celebrating the island's National Day, which marked the founding of its independent government. The speech contained what China considered fighting words. "As president, my mission is to ensure that our nation endures and progresses, and to unite the 23 million people of Taiwan," Lai said. "I will also uphold the commitment to resist annexation or encroachment upon our sovereignty." The next thing you know, Taiwan and its outlying islands were surrounded by a record 125 aircraft, as well as the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning and other warships, in a large-scale military exercise dubbed Joint Sword that appeared to be a rehearsal for a blockade of the self-governing island. "This is a resolute punishment for Lai Ching-te's continuous fabrication of 'Taiwan independence' nonsense," China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement. "This military pressure operation is irresponsible, disproportionate, and destabilizing," Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement. "It is a long-standing tradition for Taiwan's president to deliver remarks on 10/10. It is a routine, domestic-focused address that has historically prompted little response from the PRC." "The entire world has a stake in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and we continue to see a growing community of countries committed to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait," Ryder said. "We will continue to work with allies and partners to advance our shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific despite the PRC's destabilizing behavior." OPINION: UK TILT TOWARD CHINA ILLUMINATED BY SPY CHIEF'S NEWLY DOVISH TONE CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER THE RUNDOWN: Washington Examiner: US to deploy advanced air defense system and troops to Israel Washington Examiner: Embassy 'strongly' urges Americans in Lebanon to leave Washington Examiner: Netanyahu calls on UN to remove forces from southern Lebanon Washington Examiner: Netanyahu considering emptying northern Gaza, starving it of supplies Washington Examiner: US to deploy advanced air defense system and troops to Israel Washington Examiner: Israel-Hamas hostage talks stall out, Biden says US 'doubling down' efforts Washington Examiner: Iran cuts off indirect communication line with US amid escalating tension Washington Examiner: Putin meets with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, stressing close ties Washington Examiner: Threats cause 'operational adjustments' for FEMA's Hurricane Helene relief Washington Examiner: James Lankford has four immigration to-dos for Trump after visiting border Washington Examiner: Fact-checking Biden's promise to close ICE detention centers run by private companies Washington Examiner: House GOP presses Mayorkas for answers on FEMA funding for illegal immigrants Washington Examiner: Harris to partake in first Fox News sit-down interview with Bret Baier Washington Examiner: Walz reignites attacks against Trump during Wisconsin sweep: 'Fascist to his core' Washington Examiner: SpaceX successfully launches most ambitious Starship rocket test yet Washington Examiner: Navy SEAL drowning deaths interceding Iranian weapons were preventable, investigations finds Washington Examiner: Editorial: The federal spending threat to national security Washington Examiner: Opinion: Tom Rogan: UK tilt toward China illuminated by spy chief's newly dovish tone Washington Examiner: Opinion: Tom Rogan: Blasting Israel, kowtowing to Xi, Sanchez shows human rights hypocrisy NBC News: Two men wounded when a gunman opened fire on Trump at rally say Secret Service failed them Soldier of Fortune: Man Denies Assassination Plot: What Really Happened at the Trump Coachella Rally? Washington Post: Netanyahu tells U.S. that Israel will strike Iranian military, not nuclear or oil, targets, officials say New York Times: Russia Is Clawing Back Land Taken by Ukraine This Summer Washington Post: Selling America: The Army's fight for recruits Washington Post: Biden sends antimissile system and 100 troops to Israel, deepening U.S. role AP: Donald Trump uses 'Full Metal Jacket' clips to portray his ideal military Air & Space Forces Magazine: Pentagon Spending Big to Counter Cheap Drones Air & Space Forces Magazine: US Steps Up Pressure on ISIS with Airstrikes on Training Camps in Syria Defense News: Boeing to Cut 10% of Workers as Defense Unit Loses $2B in 3 Months SpaceNews: The Expanding Battlefield: Army's Push into Space Warfare Breaking Defense: France, Germany Join US Space Warfighting Plan 'Olympic Defender' Aviation Week: BriteStorm Payload Will Enable CCAs To Jam Air-Defense Systems Air & Space Forces Magazine: Space Force X-37 Aerobraking Might Inform Future Satellite Design Breaking Defense: L3Harris, Embraer No Longer Working Together to Pitch C-390 to US THE CALENDAR: TUESDAY | OCTOBER 15 7:30 a.m. Walter Washington Convention Center — Day two of the Association of the U.S. Army 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition: “Transforming for a Complex World," https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2024/index.cfm 9 a.m — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual discussion: “Gaza: An Update, As Year Two Unfolds,” with Special Representative for UNICEF in the State of Palestine Jean Gough; Hamid Jafari, director of polio eradication at the World Health Organization; and World Health Organization Representative for Occupied Palestinian Territory Richard Peeperkorn https://www.csis.org/events/update-year-two-unfolds-gaza-human-toll 10 a.m. — Wilson Center Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studie virtual discussion: “Ukraine Energy Sector: Short-Term Threats and Long-Term Prospects,” with Oleksiy Chernyshov, chairman of the board and CEO of the Naftogaz Group; Artem Nekrasov, acting director of the Guaranteed Buyer; Dmytro Sakharuk, executive director of DTEK; and Daria Malling, project manager of the Center for Liberal Modernity https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/ukraines-energy-sector-short-term-threats 12 p.m. — Washington Post Live virtual book discussion: War, with author Bob Woodward, Washington Post associate editor https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live 12 p.m. 33 North Dearborn St., Chicago, Illinois — Bloomberg News and the Economic Club of Chicago co-host an interview with former President Donald Trump, the 2024 Republican nominee for president. https://www.youtube.com/live/api9V-jaxYg 2:30 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs discussion: “State Department Dissent: Gaza and Syria as Case Studies,” with William Roebuck, executive vice president of the Arab Gulf States Institute; and Annelle Sheline, research fellow at the Quincy Institute Middle East Program https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/state-department-dissent-gaza-and-syria-as-case-studies 3 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies "Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative" tenth anniversary virtual discussion: "Pentagon Priorities Amid Polycrises," with Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks; Beverly Kirk, director of Washington Programs, Syracuse University; and Kathleen McInnis, director, Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative https://www.youtube.com/watch 3 p.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “The Army role in the Indo-Pacific, its contributions to the Joint Force, and USARPAC (U.S. Army Pacific) new Theater Army Strategy,” with U.S. Army Pacific Commanding Gen. Charles Flynn; and Stacie Pettyjohn, senior fellow and director of CNAS’ Defense Program https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-fireside-chat-with-general-charles-a-flynn 5 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies virtual book discussion: “The War for Ukraine: Strategy and Adaptation Under Fire,” with author retired Australian Army Maj. Gen. Mick Ryan, CSIS nonresident adjunct fellow https://www.csis.org/events/book-event-war-ukraine-strategy WEDNESDAY | OCTOBER 16 7:30 a.m. — Final day of the Association of the U.S. Army 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition https://meetings.ausa.org/annual/2024/index.cfm 8 a.m. 1030 15th St. NW — Atlantic Council in-person and virtual discussion: “The Navy 2024 Navigation Plan,” with Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations; and retired Marine Gen. James Jones, executive chairman emeritus of the Atlantic Council and former U.S. national security adviser https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event/a-conversation-with-admiral-lisa-franchetti 9 a.m. 2101 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Virginia — National Defense Industrial Association CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) Fall Quarterly Forum: "Implementing DOD Biodefense Posture Review," with Brandi Vann https://www.ndia.org/events/2024/10/16/cbrn-quarterly-fall-forum 1 p.m. — Truman Center virtual book discussion: “Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security,” with author Sherri Goodman, advisory council member at the Truman Center; Katie MacDonald, co-founder and managing partner at Tailwind and a member of the Truman National Security Project; and Tony Johnson, CEO and president of the Truman Center https://www.trumancenter.org/news-posts/book-talk 2 p.m. — Center for Strategic and International Studies and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation conference: “Extended Deterrence in Asia,” with retired Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force Adm. Tomohisa Takei, SPF senior fellow; former Japanese Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary Nobukatsu Kanehara; executive director of SPF; M. Elaine Bunn, nonresident senior adviser at the CSIS Project on Nuclear Issues; and Franklin Miller, nonresident senior adviser at the CSIS International Security Program https://www.csis.org/events/csis-sasakawa-peace-foundation-conference 2 p.m. 1779 Massachusetts Ave. NW — Carnegie Endowment for International Peace discussion: “China Evolving Nuclear Policy: What It Means for U.S. Security and International Stability,” with James Acton, co-director of the CEIP Nuclear Policy Program; Fiona Cunningham, nonresident scholar at the CEIP Nuclear Policy Program; Tong Zhao, senior fellow at the CEIP Nuclear Policy Program; and William Hennigan, New York Times opinion correspondent https://carnegieendowment.org/events/2024/10/chinas-evolving-nuclear-policy THURSDAY | OCTOBER 17 4 a.m. Brussels, Belgium — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin attends two-day meeting of defense ministers NATO headquarters https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/news 9 a.m. 1201 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Hudson Institute discussion: “Strengthening the Allied Industrial Base,” with Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA); South Korean Ambassador to the U.S. Hyun-dong Cho; Steve Brock, senior adviser to the navy secretary; Sang-bong Lee, head of engineering and design, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries; Jim Schirmer, senior vice president and deputy managing director, American Rheinmetall Vehicles; Michael Kuenzli, deputy to the deputy assistant Army secretary for defense exports and cooperation; Mike Smith, CEO, Hanwha Defense USA; and Rob Murray, chief innovation officer, Saab Inc. https://www.hudson.org/events/strengthening-allied-industrial-base 5 p.m. — Council for a Livable World, J Steet, and Foreign Policy for America virtual discussion: beginning at 5 p.m., on “Election 2024: The Future of Progressive Foreign Policy,” with John Tierney, executive director of the Council for a Livable World; Connor Murray, political director, Council for a Livable World; Jeremy Ben-Ami, president, J Street; Tali deGroot, national political director, J Street; Andrew Albertson, executive director, Foreign Policy for America; Willa Lerner, political manager of Foreign Policy for America; and Anna Schumann, communications director, the Council for a Livable World https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register FRIDAY | OCTOBER 18 8:45 a.m. 1616 Rhode Island Ave. NW — Center for Strategic and International Studies and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point Center for the Study of Civil-Military Operations inaugural conference: “The Future of Critical Minerals and National Security," with former Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources Frank Fannon; and retired Army Gen. Paul Kern, former U.S. Ambassador to Algeria, South Africa, and Indonesia Cameron Hume; and Rogier de la Rambeije, head of mining at EAS Advisers https://www.csis.org/events/future-critical-minerals-and-national-security 10 a.m. 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW — Wilson Center Global Europe Program; the Wilson center Kennan Institute; and the Wilson Center Wahba Institute for Strategic Competition discussion: “Disrupting Russia Artillery Supply Chain,” with Jack Watling, global fellow, Wilson Center Global Europe Program and senior research fellow for land warfare at the Royal United Services Institute; Sam Cranny Evans, associate, Open Source Centre; and Robin Quinville, director, Wilson Center Global Europe Program https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/disrupting-russias-artillery-supply-chain 10 a.m. — Center for a New American Security virtual discussion: “Integration for Innovation: A Report of the CNAS Defense Technology Task Force,” with former Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work; Ellen Lord, former defense undersecretary for acquisition and sustainment; Michael Brown, former director, Defense Innovation Unit; and Andrew Metrick, former executive director, CNAS Defense Technology Task Force https://www.cnas.org/events/virtual-event-integration-for-innovation 12:30 p.m. 1957 E St. NW — George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs book discussion: “A Call to Action: Lessons from Ukraine for the Future Force,” with co-editor John Nagl, professor of warfighting studies at the U.S. Army War College; co-editor Col. Katie Crombie, chief of the Defense Department Joint Operational War Plans Division; Lt. Col. Stephen Trynosky of the Office of the Defense Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness; Michael Hackett, State Department foreign service officer; and Matthew Levinger, director of the GWU National Security Studies Program https://calendar.gwu.edu/event/a-call-to-action-lessons-from-ukraine-for-the-future-force | | | | "I think the bigger problem are the people from within. We have some very bad people. We have some sick people, radical left lunatics. And I think … it should be very easily handled, if necessary, by National Guard or, if really necessary, by the military, because they can't let that happen." | | Former President Donald Trump, in an interview with Fox New host Maria Bartiromo, who asked Trump if he expected chaos after the election. |
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