By Suzie Ziegler
BELLEVUE, Idaho — Deputy Nate Silvester, who gained fame from a TikTok video criticizing LeBron James, is speaking out for the first time since he was fired from his job last week at the Bellevue Marshal’s Office. Bellevue’s mayor said Silvester was fired for “continued policy violations” that had nothing to do with his initial video, according to the Idaho Statesman.
“It was shocking, but it wasn’t surprising,” Silvester said in an interview with KTVB. “It was disappointing because I do love being a police officer but it’s unfortunate that you can’t do that job and have first amendment rights like everyone else.”
Silvester first drew the public eye in April when he mocked the NBA star’s opinion of the police shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant in Ohio.
“It’s frustrating and sad to know that’s all it takes is for an officer to speak his mind, share his opinion and for that stuff to matter more than to do police work,” Silvester told KTVB.
“I would do it all over again and I probably would’ve done it sooner. I don’t regret any part of this,” Silvester said. “I’ve been given a platform and a stage now and a voice to speak on behalf of law enforcement and use that influence to benefit other police officers.”
Silvester’s upcoming book, “Never Off Duty,” will discuss the pressures of being a police officer in recent years, according to KTVB.