MONTCLAIR - Jeh Johnson, former United States Secretary of Homeland Security, addressed the crowd at today's No Kings Rally in Montclair, Johnson's hometown.

In a conversation with InsiderNJ, he reflected on developments at the Pentagon, where he used to work, and in the country generally in the Trump era.

By way of context from CBS News:

For the first time in more than 60 years, CBS News will close out the week without a workspace in the Pentagon after declining — along with nearly every major news organization — to sign onto new press requirements that reporters' associations say could infringe on their First Amendment rights. 

Said Johnson this afternoon in Montclair:

"Like everyone else here, I love our country. I love our democracy and these folks assembled here today in peaceful protest want to turn anger into real action."

"In the face of criticism that assemblages like this are somehow existential threats - this is the core of America," Johnson said. "America was founded on protest. On the desire of freedom from the king. We bristle at any desire of autocrats.

"I'm so proud of my Montclair community," added Johnson. "We're going to turn energy into action, away from apathy and getting people to participate in our democracy."

What are his gravest concerns about the Trump Administration?

Politically motivated prosecutions.

Curbs on freedoms of the press at the Pentagon.

A lack of respect for constitutional norms.

"We do have existential threats," added the former Homeland Security Secretary. "I know that. But let's not confuse our enemies with patriotic Americans. One of the ways democracy dies is leaders convince people that they live among enemies."

All this and more in the (FULL!) interview with former Secretary Johnson HERE:

Johnson served in the Obama Administration from 2013 to 2017. This week. Obama formally endorsed Mikie Sherrill in the New Jersey Governor's race on Nov. 4th.