Fact Check: Trump Deliberated Shooting Civilians During Black Lives Matter Protests
What We Know
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper revealed in his memoir, A Sacred Oath, that President Donald Trump asked whether federal law enforcement could shoot protesters during the unrest following George Floyd's murder in 2020. Esper recounted that Trump suggested shooting them "in the legs or something" to disperse the crowds, a statement that left top officials in shock (NPR, Axios). This incident is part of a broader pattern of Trump's comments regarding the use of violence against protesters, which has been documented by various sources (Washington Post, Rolling Stone).
Analysis
The claim that Trump deliberated shooting civilians during the Black Lives Matter protests is substantiated by credible sources, primarily Mark Esper's own account. Esper's position as the Secretary of Defense lends significant weight to his testimony, as he was directly involved in discussions with Trump regarding the government's response to the protests. His recollection aligns with earlier reports from journalists like Michael C. Bender, who noted that Trump had previously expressed a desire for aggressive tactics against protesters (Axios, Washington Post).
Moreover, Trump's history of advocating for violence against protesters is well-documented. For instance, he has made comments suggesting that police should not worry about injuring suspects during arrests and has previously indicated that he would support using deadly force against looters (Washington Post). This pattern of behavior raises concerns about his approach to civil unrest and the use of state violence.
While some may argue that Esper's account is self-serving, given that he has written a memoir, the consistency of his claims with other reports and the gravity of the statements made by Trump lend credibility to the assertion that Trump did indeed contemplate such violent measures.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Trump deliberated shooting civilians during Black Lives Matter protests is supported by credible evidence from multiple sources, including Mark Esper's firsthand account and corroborating reports from journalists. The context of Trump's comments and his historical advocacy for aggressive tactics against dissent further substantiate this claim.
Sources
- Esper: Trump asked about shooting protesters (https://www.npr.org/2022/05/09/1097517470/trump-esper-book-defense-secretary)
- Donald Trump's dangerous view of state violence (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/05/02/donald-trumps-dangerous-view-state-violence/)
- Peaceful Protesters Tear-Gassed To Clear Way For Trump ... (https://www.npr.org/2020/06/01/867532070/trumps-unannounced-church-visit-angers-church-officials)
- As Protests and Violence Spill Over, Trump Shrinks Back (https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/31/us/politics/trump-protests-george-floyd.html)
- Black Lives Matter D.C. v. Trump – Challenging Federal ... (https://www.acludc.org/cases/black-lives-matter-dc-v-trump-challenging-federal-officers-unprovoked-attack-civil-rights/)
- Esper: Trump asked about shooting protesters ‘in the legs or ... (https://thehill.com/policy/defense/3473642-esper-trump-asked-about-shooting-protesters-in-the-legs-or-something-after-george-floyd-death/)
- Trump told top US general to 'just shoot' racism protesters ... (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/25/donald-trump-general-mark-milley-crack-skulls)
- Trump Wanted to Shoot Black Lives Matter Protesters, Says ... (https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/mark-esper-trump-shoot-black-lives-matter-protesters-1346079/)
