On January 23, 2016, in Sioux City, Iowa, Donald Trump said, “I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot someone and I wouldn’t lose any votes.”
This week, Arizona Republican leadership met in Prescott. In the wake of the shootings in Minneapolis, several members were quoted as saying such things as: “FAFO,” “They (protesters) are doing it to themselves,” “They (ICE) are just federal workers doing what they have been asked to do,” “If it takes a little inconvenience to get the job done, then I’m all for it," and “When you pull a gun on an ICE officer… well.”
Several of those interviewed said they had not bothered to look at videos, but believed Kristy Noem’s and Gregory Bovino’s reporting of the incident.
At least for the Arizona Republican leadership, Trump’s people can shoot people in the middle of the street and he won’t lose their vote. Trump’s statement, made 10 years ago, is prophetic and very worrisome.
Gary Haslett
SaddleBrooke
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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