Fact check: Did Maxine Waters really ask troops 'What are you going to do? Shoot some kids?'

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, there is no evidence that Maxine Waters ever made the statement "What are you going to do? Shoot some kids?" to troops. Multiple sources examining Waters' public statements and speeches do not contain this alleged quote ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements about Waters' actual statements and positions:

• Waters has consistently advocated for nonviolent resistance following Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings ^[3]
• She has expressed concerns about Trump potentially creating civil conflict ^{[3] [4]}
• Waters did make controversial comments during the Derek Chauvin trial, urging protesters to "stay confrontational" and "stay in the street" if Chauvin was not convicted ^{[5] [6]}
• These actual comments were criticized by Republicans, but were specifically about protesting the potential acquittal in the Chauvin trial ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The circulation of this alleged quote appears to be a misrepresentation of Waters' actual positions and statements. Several potential factors contribute to this:

• The quote seems designed to portray Waters as promoting violence against law enforcement, when sources indicate she actually advocates for nonviolent protest ^[7]
• The fabricated quote may be attempting to conflate her legitimate criticism of Trump's policies ^[4] with a more extreme position
• Political opponents benefit from portraying Waters' actual comments about the Chauvin trial ^[5] in a more inflammatory light
• The timing of this misquote appears to capitalize on the controversy surrounding her actual statements during the Chauvin trial protests ^[6]