Donald Trump lashed out at his former Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday after his interview with 60 Minutes to promote his upcoming book.
In the excerpts from the book, A Sacred Oath,that have been released to the public so far, Esper wrote that Trump wanted to shoot protesters near the White House in the summer of 2020 amid nationwide protests following the murder of George Floyd by police. Esper also wrote that Trump wanted to launch missiles into Mexico to destroy drug labs then deny it.
Asked about the interview by CBS Trump lashed out at Esper.
“Mark Esper was weak and totally ineffective and because of it, I had to run the military,” Trump said. “Mark Esper was a stiff who was desperate not to lose his job. He would do anything I wanted, that’s why I called him ‘Yesper.’ He was a lightweight and figurehead, and I realized it very early on.”
He called the claim that he wanted to shoot protesters “a complete lie” adding that he has 10 witnesses” who could back him up.
Asked about the claim that he wanted to quietly fire missiles into Mexico to destroy drug labs, Trump responded “no comment.”
