The Seattle Police Department has drawn widespread criticism and mockery on social media for its use of the term "trigger-pullers" to refer to individuals involved in gun violence. The unusual phrasing was introduced by interim Police Chief Andre Sayles during a press conference on Monday.
Sayles used the term "trigger-pullers" while discussing proactive measures to address crime and gun violence in the city, which had experienced a weekend of shootings resulting in three deaths and three injuries. "We’re looking at ways where we can identify individuals known — we call them trigger-pullers — in our community, identifying them, making sure we’re putting cases on those individuals, and working with the King County Prosecutors Office to bring these individuals to justice," Sayles stated.
The department's choice of language quickly ignited a firestorm on social media platforms, with users questioning the rationale behind the euphemism. Critics argued that softening the terminology does not address the underlying issues of gun violence and that the word choice is nonsensical. Some users proposed additional mock euphemisms for other crimes, such as "alternative-protein enthusiasts" for cannibals and "unlicensed wealth redistributors" for looters.
The Seattle mayor's office, led by socialist Mayor Katie Wilson, has also faced scrutiny for what critics describe as "hyper-woke" public statements. Wilson, who took office in November, has previously drawn attention for her remarks, including urging a boycott of Starbucks and dismissively responding to concerns about a new state income tax potentially driving away wealthy residents.
The Seattle Police Department did not respond to requests for comment regarding the new "trigger-puller" moniker and the process by which it was adopted.