In response to a question about whether he thought Mr. Trump was a fascist, Mr. Kelly first read aloud a definition of fascism that he had found online.

"Well, looking at the definition of fascism: It's a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement characterized by a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy," he said.

Mr. Kelly said that definition accurately described Mr. Trump.

"So certainly, in my experience, those are the kinds of things that he thinks would work better in terms of running America," Mr. Kelly said.

He added: "Certainly the former president is in the far-right area, he's certainly an authoritarian, admires people who are dictators - he has said that. So he certainly falls into the general definition of fascist, for sure."

Mr. Kelly said Mr. Trump lacked a fundamental understanding of basic American values and what being president is about.

"He's certainly the only president that has all but rejected what America is all about, and what makes America America, in terms of our Constitution, in terms of our values, the way we look at everything, to include family and government - he's certainly the only president that I know of, certainly in my lifetime, that was like that," Mr. Kelly said.

"He just doesn't understand the values - he pretends, he talks, he knows more about America than anybody, but he doesn't."