Donald Trump Advocates Shooting Shoplifters During Speech to California Republicans

Former President Donald Trump made a controversial statement during a recent speech to California Republicans, suggesting that law enforcement should shoot shoplifters as they exit stores. Trump’s comments came as he continues to face legal challenges and positions himself as a candidate who favors law and order.

Speaking to an audience at the Anaheim convention, Trump stated, “We will immediately stop all of the pillaging and theft. Very simply: If you rob a store, you can fully expect to be shot as you are leaving that store.” The remarks were met with applause from his party members, and Trump emphasized the word “shot” once more.

Trump’s statement marked his most provocative stance on punishing retail theft with lethal force. It came in the midst of his ongoing legal battles, including four criminal indictments, as he seeks to portray himself as tough on crime and supportive of law enforcement.

This statement followed Trump’s recent call for the execution of Army Gen. Mark Milley, one of the top military officers in his administration, over alleged treasonous phone calls to China, which Milley described as routine in his role.

Trump’s comments on shoplifters also come after he expressed admiration for a Glock firearm during a campaign stop in South Carolina and mentioned his desire to purchase one, a move that led to legal scrutiny.

As Trump faces mounting legal pressure, his campaign rhetoric has become increasingly striking and has resulted in additional legal actions. For example, E. Jean Carroll, a former magazine columnist, sought additional damages in her defamation lawsuit against Trump following his comments during a CNN town hall, where he referred to her as a “whack job” who told a “made-up story.”

Trump had previously been ordered by a jury to pay $5 million in damages for sexual abuse and defamation, a verdict he appealed. Carroll requested an additional $5 million in damages after Trump’s comments on CNN.

While addressing the California audience, Trump played to concerns about rising crime rates in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, a topic of concern for both Republicans and some Democrats. The GOP has been employing tough-on-crime rhetoric in an attempt to regain support from suburban voters who shifted away from Trump and Trumpism in recent elections.

Trump argued, “The word that they shoot you will get out within minutes, and our nation, in one day, will be an entirely different place. There must be retribution for theft and destruction and the ruination of our country.”

While this marked the first time Trump publicly called for shoplifters to be shot, he has previously advocated shooting or death as penalties for various offenses. This includes advocating for shooting migrants to deter border crossings, inquiring about shooting individuals protesting the death of George Floyd, and calling for the death penalty for drug dealers, human traffickers, and those convicted of killing police officers during his time as president.