A billionaire Maryland Democrat seeking to return to Congress publicly claims – unequivocally and without evidence – that President Donald Trump is sending federal agents “to murder U.S. citizens.”
In a televised campaign advertisement also posted on social media, such as YouTube and Facebook, David Trone makes the claim while showing a picture of supposed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents with shields and weapons drawn on a street:
“Trump is sending masked ICE agents to murder U.S. citizens, weaponizing federal agencies to pursue his enemies, plying crazy tariffs and riding roughshod over democracy.”
In the video, Trone likens his fight against the president to the violent, deadly Revolutionary War to free America from a king. In this case, he implies that Pres. Trump is the “king” – and calls on Americans to, once again, “start fighting” as they did in the bloody revolution:
“There are Revolutionary War sites throughout Maryland. A reminder, it didn't go so well the last time someone tried to be king here.”
…
“But, if you want no kings, there can't be no fights.
“That's why I'm running for Congress. It's time to stop giving in and start fighting back.”
“Murder,” the word Trone uses to accuse Trump, is the unlawful killing of a human being by a sane person with "malice aforethought," meaning the intent to kill or extreme recklessness regarding human life. It requires specific intent or "depraved heart" indifference, lacking lawful justification. It is legally distinct from manslaughter and justified killings.
Trone, a billionaire co-founder of Total Wine & More, is seeking to return to his seat representing Maryland in Congress that he left in a failed bid for a Senate seat. If elected, Trone would be the wealthiest member of Congress.
Trone isn’t the only Maryland Democrat to oppose enforcement of U.S. federal immigration laws. In April, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) made national headlines by flying to El Salvador to meet with infamous illegal alien Kilmar Abrego Garcia where the so-called “Maryland man” had been deported and held in detention.
At the time, Democrats were demanding Garcia’s release and return to the U.S., which was ultimately achieved by a court order. He is currently facing criminal charges, including human trafficking.
