Kelly, a retired U.S. Marine Corps general, claimed in remarks published by The Atlantic on Tuesday that he witnessed Trump express an admiration for "Hitler's generals" while serving as president. Trump was also quoted as saying that wanted "the kind of generals that Hitler had" during a White House meeting.

The vice president seized on reports in which John Kelly, a former chief of staff to Donald J. Trump, recounted explosive comments by Mr. Trump and said he met the definition of a “fascist.”