Trump suggests government leakers should ‘be shot’ amid ongoing political controversies

Donald Trump recently stated that individuals who leak government information to the media "should be shot" during a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, on October 14, 2026. He emphasized his view by adding that "in the old days, we used to shoot leakers." Trump's remarks were made in the context of an alleged leak concerning a planned U.S. military operation in Iran, which he claimed forced him to reschedule the attack. He suggested that "sleazebags" who leak such details "ought to go to jail and be shot" and also extended his criticism to journalists, stating they are "almost as bad" as leakers.

The President suggested that the leaked information, which he attributed to outlets like The New York Times and CNN, included critical details such as the departure and arrival times of U.S. troops, potentially compromising the mission. These statements come amid ongoing political controversies and reflect Trump's long-standing frustration with unauthorized disclosures of information from his administration. His comments have been widely reported and have drawn attention to his stance on government leaks and the press.