Trump suggests those who leak government information should ‘be shot’

What the report says

US President Donald Trump drew backlash after suggesting that people who leak government information to the media should be shot. According to Al Jazeera, he made the remarks at a campaign rally in Bullhead City, Arizona, while urging supporters to vote in the November 3 midterm elections. He said leakers in the past would have been shot and also said some should go to jail or be shot, in comments that referenced leaks about military operations.

The outlet reported that Trump appeared to be referring to the June 2025 US attack on Iran during the 12-day Israel-Iran war, known as Operation Midnight Hammer. After that strike, media reports drew on a preliminary Defense Intelligence Agency assessment that suggested Iran had moved some enriched uranium and that the damage to its nuclear facilities may have been less severe than Trump had claimed. Trump blamed media organizations, including The New York Times and CNN, and said leaked timing details put service members at risk.

The story said Trump has long been hostile to leaks and has repeatedly pushed for harsh punishment of officials who share confidential information. It also noted that his administration has used polygraph testing, subpoenas, and other steps to try to identify leak sources. As background, the broader issue reflects ongoing tension between US national security secrecy and press reporting on internal government information.