Mark Esper ’dumbstruck’ and ’shocked’ over Trump’s idea

Mark Esper, who served as US defense secretary in the Trump administration, said he had been “dumbstruck” and “shocked” to hear then President Donald Trump make the suggestion to use the military to shoot protesters in Washington DC demonstrating in the wake of George Floyd’s death. In a statement sent to CBS News, Trump called the allegation he wanted more force used against protesters a complete lie, and claimed to have witnesses who could back it up. In response to Esper’s comments that he wanted to use missiles against cartels in Mexico, Trump responded, “no comment.“ #MarkEsper #AC360 #CNN