Warns of migrant "invasion" and suggests troops shoot rock-throwers

In a speech days before the midterm elections, Trump described a caravan of Central American migrants as an "invasion" and suggested U.S. troops stationed at the border should shoot migrants who throw rocks. "I will tell you, consider it a rifle. When they throw rocks like they did at the Mexico military and police, I say consider it a rifle," Trump said. The rhetoric escalated fear to mobilize his base, characterizing asylum seekers as a military threat.

"They want to throw rocks at our military, our military fights back. I told them to consider it a rifle. When they throw rocks ... consider it a rifle." — White House remarks on immigration, November 1, 2018