During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana clashed with retired Army Major General Randy Manner over past remarks criticizing President-elect Donald Trump and his supporters.

The tense exchange highlighted divisions over political rhetoric and the use of the military in immigration enforcement.

The hearing, titled “How Mass Deportations Will Separate American Families, Harm our Armed Forces, and Devastate Our Economy,” included Manner’s testimony against the use of the National Guard for deportations.

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However, Kennedy steered the discussion toward controversial comments Manner made during a CNN interview in October.

Kennedy began by quoting Manner’s appearance on CNN’s Laura Coates Live, where the retired general had labeled Trump supporters as “fascists themselves.”

The senator read aloud Manner’s statements, including praise for former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley.

Milley had reportedly referred to Trump as a “total fascist” in conversations with journalist Bob Woodward, comments Manner publicly supported.

“On October 14th of this year, you went on CNN. I want to read you what you said, make sure I’m accurate. Here’s what you said: ‘President Trump is not like any sane leader. I’m very proud of General Milley for saying that President Trump is a total fascist,’” Kennedy began.

“You also said, ‘The challenge is because most MAGA Republicans, they don’t understand what fascism is. The reality is that they are, in fact, fascists themselves.’ Did I read that accurately?”

Manner confirmed Kennedy’s reading, stating, “I believe so. Yes.”

Kennedy pressed further, questioning whether Manner viewed himself as intellectually or morally superior to Trump supporters. “You think you’re smarter than the American people, don’t you?” Kennedy asked.

“Absolutely not, senator. I am here to discuss the use of the military as part of this mass deportation,” Manner replied.

Kennedy continued, asking, “You think you’re more virtuous than the American people, don’t you, general?”

Visibly frustrated, Manner responded, “Senator, I’m insulted by your comment.”

This incident brought political tensions into focus, as Manner was part of a group of retired generals backing Kamala Harris in her 2024 campaign.

Harris, along with her running mate, Democratic Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, had sharply criticized Trump in the final weeks of the election.

Harris labeled Trump a “petty tyrant” during an Oct. 30 speech and previously called him a “fascist” during a CNN town hall.

Kennedy closed his remarks by referencing statements from another witness, noting, “Ms. Moran said — I wrote down her words — she said, ‘By their actions, you know what someone’s character is like.’”

The exchange highlighted the contentious debate over political discourse and the role of the military in domestic policy, with Republicans challenging the impartiality of figures like Manner and Democrats emphasizing the dangers of Trump’s rhetoric.

As the hearing concluded, it left lingering questions about the impact of military endorsements in a deeply polarized political environment.

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