Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) claimed it is “high time” for Republican lawmakers to oppose President Donald Trump, pointing to the president’s actions since January of how he is moving the United States into “rapidly into authoritarianism.”

Over the weekend, Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard members to Los Angeles in response to the riots against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids taking place in the city. Sanders suggested this is the latest instance of the president wanting “all of the power,” also citing Trump’s calls to impeach judges ruling against his administration and him “going after universities.”

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“My understanding is that the governor of California, the mayor of the city of Los Angeles, did not request the National Guard, but he thinks he has a right to do anything he wants,” Sanders said on CNN’s State of the Union. “And I would say that, to a large degree, the future of this country rests with a small number of Republicans in the House and Senate who know better, who do know what the Constitution is about, and it‘s high time they stood up for our Constitution and the rule of law.” 

Sanders recalled how the United States just celebrated the anniversary of D-Day on Friday, in which U.S. troops began the landing of Normandy to defeat fascism and Nazism. The senator said the veterans on D-Day sacrificed their lives to defend democracy, not to have “an all-powerful ruler” in the Oval Office. 

Beyond the Los Angeles riots, this past week saw a major feud between Trump and his former adviser Elon Musk on social media, which some have predicted could lead to Musk using his wealth to hurt Trump in the 2026 midterm elections. However, Sanders warned against it, claiming Musk has “evolved over the years” into “a right-wing extremist.”

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The president has warned Musk against funding Democratic candidates in the future, claiming there would be “serious consequences.” Trump has also told reporters “I’m not thinking about Elon” since he is preoccupied with foreign affairs, but added, “I just wish him well.”

Vice President JD Vance appeared on comedian Theo Von’s podcast as Musk and Trump’s feud was taking place, during which the vice president said he would remain loyal to the president while expressing hope that Musk “comes back into the fold.”