In a live television interview on Sunday, Congressional Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI) caused a stir by making a controversial statement regarding former President Donald Trump. Plaskett, discussing federal charges against Trump, suggested that he should be “shot” for his alleged mishandling of classified documents after leaving the White House in early 2021.
Plaskett’s remark came during an appearance on MSNBC, where she expressed concern over the potential risks of Trump possessing classified information and sharing it at his resort. However, upon realizing her slip of words, she promptly corrected herself, stating that Trump should be “stopped” instead.
While Plaskett acknowledged that Trump would have his day in court and the opportunity to defend himself like any other American citizen, she emphasized that his indictment occurred in Florida, a red state, by his peers, implying that there was sufficient cause for the charges to be brought against him.
Freudian slip? Delegate Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) slips and says Trump “needs to be shot.” She quickly corrects herself and says “stopped.” pic.twitter.com/cUJlhshiGD
— Kevin Tober (@KevinTober94) June 18, 2023
Furthermore, Plaskett made contentious claims about Republican “propaganda” and suggested that doubts about the Justice Department and the FBI under President Joe Biden were solely a result of such misinformation. She argued that her GOP colleagues wanted a two-tiered system that would allow them to evade accountability, thus undermining trust in law enforcement agencies.
Democrat Del. Stacey Plaskett says some Americans are skeptical of Biden’s DOJ and FBI because of Republican “propaganda” and not because Biden just weaponized his DOJ to arrest his political rival. pic.twitter.com/5GZydAhyzq
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 18, 2023
Plaskett’s comments have triggered widespread outrage among conservatives and critics, who argue that such rhetoric is inflammatory and unacceptable in political discourse. Many have condemned her callous and violent choice of words, urging her to apologize for her inappropriate statement.
Political figures from both sides of the aisle have condemned Plaskett’s remarks, emphasizing the importance of civil and respectful dialogue, especially when discussing sensitive legal matters involving public figures. They underscored the significance of adhering to democratic principles and respecting the legal process that ensures fairness and justice for all.
As the news of Plaskett’s remarks spreads, both supporters and opponents of former President Trump have engaged in heated debates online and on social media platforms. The incident has further deepened the political divide, with conservatives criticizing what they perceive as biased and hostile attitudes towards Trump within the Democratic Party.
In response to the controversy, Plaskett’s office released a statement expressing regret for her choice of words, acknowledging that they were inappropriate and did not reflect her true intent. The statement emphasized that Plaskett believes in upholding the rule of law and ensuring a fair legal process for all individuals.
