Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said on the first night of the Democratic National Convention that President Trump is “leading us down the path of authoritarianism.”

Sanders, a self-declared socialist, endorsed Joe Biden and urged his leftwing supporters to join him.

“We have moved this country in a bold new direction,” Sanders said to his backers. “Our movement continues, It is getting stronger every day. Many of the ideas we fought for, but just a few years ago were considered radical are now mainstream.”

Sanders cited Trump’s recent actions and remarks to back his claim of authoritarianism.

“During this president’s term, the unthinkable has become normal,” Sanders said. “He has tried to prevent people from voting, undermine the US Postal Service, deployed the military and federal agents against peaceful protesters, threatened to delay the election and suggested that he will not leave office if he loses.”

Sanders also slammed what he called Trump’s “negligence” during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfs,” Sanders quipped.