Trump says government 'leakers should be shot'
- Trump suggests firing squad for leakers, because apparently the 'enemy of the people' moniker was too subtle.
- Rally crowd in Arizona gets a preview of the 2026 campaign: less policy, more firing-squad enthusiasm.
- The Second Amendment folks might want to clarify this isn't about their guns, it's about the press's right to know things.
Brief Summary
In a bold move to ensure government transparency, Trump announced that anyone who leaks information to the media should be 'shot.' This comes as a surprise to no one who has heard him speak for more than five minutes. The rally, held to support Rep. Andy Biggs, quickly pivoted from electioneering to advocating for summary execution as a journalistic ethics policy. It's a fresh take on whistleblower protection, really—guaranteeing they never leak again by guaranteeing they never do anything again. The crowd reportedly ate it up, probably because they'd just had their T-bone steaks and were feeling a bit trigger-happy.
Why This Matters
For the average American, this is less about actual policy and more about the ongoing theater of the executive branch's relationship with the First Amendment. While no one is literally drafting legislation for a 'leaker firing squad,' the rhetoric normalizes the idea that the press is an enemy to be eliminated, not a check on power. You should care because this is how you get a populace that thinks journalists are traitors, and before you know it, you're cheering for the government to shoot the guy who exposed your tax dollars being wasted on gold-plated toilet seats.