Esper book reveals Trump asked about shooting George Floyd protesters

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper's memoir revealed that during a June 1, 2020 meeting about George Floyd protests, Trump asked: "Can't you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something?" Esper told 60 Minutes that Trump was "ranting," using "foul language," calling protesters "fucking losers." Trump suggested deploying 10,000 active-duty troops "with weapons and bayonets" to confront peaceful protesters exercising First Amendment rights. Esper said he and General Mark Milley were "taken aback." Esper compared the suggestion to authoritarian regimes: "those are banana republics, right? Or authoritarian regimes. We all remember Tiananmen Square." Trump denied the allegation, calling it "a complete lie." The revelation demonstrated Trump's willingness to use military force against American citizens engaged in constitutionally protected protest.

"Can't you just shoot them? Just shoot them in the legs or something?" — June 1, 2020 White House meeting about George Floyd protests, as revealed in Esper memoir May 2022