Ex US Defense Sec.: Trump Suggested Shooting Protesters in Washington in 2020

Former US Defense Secretary Mark Esper revealed in his memoirs that former US President Donald Trump suggested shooting demonstrators who demanded racial justice when the demonstrations approached the White House in Washington.

"Can't you just shoot them?" Trump asked the newly appointed Esper during a tense meeting in the Oval Office on June 1, 2020, according to the memos.

Just shoot them in the legs or something," according to the New York Daily News. Esper, who was "suddenly" fired by Trump after Election Day, recalled the "surreal" experience of hearing the commander-in-chief of the armed forces discuss opening fire on American demonstrators.