Lawler: Rhetoric about Trump-related fascism 'needs to stop'

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said the rhetoric about former President Trump and fascism hurts other Republicans and “needs to stop.”

Lawler joined CBS News's “Face the Nation” on Sunday morning to discuss the upcoming election, and host Margaret Brennan asked if Trump was deepening divisions in American politics that adversaries may exploit.

“There’s no question that our adversaries exploit our divisions,” Lawler said. “When Democrats say that Donald Trump is a threat to democracy, that Republicans are part of a fascist movement that undermines us as well, all of the rhetoric needs to stop.”

Lawler argued that there are threats facing the U.S. from China, Russia and Iran, in addition to the “crisis at our southern border.”

“These are the challenges we need to focus on as an American people and as government officials, and that’s my commitment, regardless of the outcome of this election in November,” Lawler said.

The New York Republican said he is focused on international threats and has worked across the aisle in Congress. Lawler said he would continue to do so if Trump were elected.

Democrats often label Trump as a fascist threat. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the former president’s ramped-up attacks on migrant populations across the country have become “blatantly fascist.”