Share

GOP senators joining criticism of Trump over Muslim soldier

In a speech at the Democratic National Convention last week, Muslim lawyer Khizr Khan talked about his son, Capt. Humayun Khan. “While our Party has bestowed upon him the nomination, it is not accompanied by unfettered license to defame those who are the best among us”.

Advertisement

Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania said the Khans “deserve our gratitude and honor; anything else is inappropriate”.

In directly taking on Trump, however, McCain goes much further than House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Without mentioning Trump by name, President Barack Obama praised families that have lost members who were serving in the military.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a former presidential candidate, also spoke out against Trump’s comments and said that he respects all Gold Star families. “They represent the very best of our country…”

Neither political party is pleased with Trump’s attacks on the parents of a fallen USA soldier. Their son, Humayun Khan, was killed in Iraq in 2004.

On Monday, Trump seemed to mock Khan for being “all over TV” criticizing the Manhattan billionaire.

In response to the speech, Trump said Ghazala Khan might not have been “allowed” to speak, implying her silence reflected restrictions placed on women by some traditional Muslims.

“You keep bringing up radical Islamic terrorism”, Stelter said.

Khizr Khan told CNN on Monday that “We want to be out of this controversy”.

“I can say that my religion or my family or my culture never stopped me saying whatever I want to say”, Khan said in an interview with CNN’s “New Day.” “And my husband is very supportive of me in these things that I have all the rights as a wife, as a mother, as a daughter”.

Khizr Khan spoke with his wife, Ghazala, at his side – leading Trump to argue she wasn’t allowed to speak due to their faith.

The outcry was swift and bipartisan, leaving Trump largely isolated among his fellow Republicans and potentially putting at risk whatever progress he made during his convention. “But again, Brian, let’s get back to what’s going on here”. The question is whether this, finally, is a step too far.

According to NPR, Trumps running mate Mike Pence tried to tone down the nominee’s comments.

During his speech at the DNC last week, Khan accused Trump of not sacrificing anything, also arguing, “If it was up to Donald Trump, [my son] never would have been in America”.

Trump has previously said McCain shouldn’t be regarded as a war hero for being imprisoned in Vietnam, saying “I like people who weren’t captured”.

The VFW statement came just hours after a group of Gold Star families wrote to Trump.

Lastly, I’d like to say to Mr. and Mrs. Khan: thank you for immigrating to America.

On Friday, Ghazala Khan addressed Trump’s bigoted claims.

Advertisement

Trump responded simultaneously on Twitter to Khizr and Ghazala Khan’s morning television appearances, saying he was being “viciously” attacked. She had nothing to say. Doing so may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. News stories displayed here appear in our category for General and are licensed via a specific agreement between LongIsland.com and The Associated Press, the world’s oldest and largest news organization. For the protection of AP and its licensors, content may not be copied, altered or redistributed in any form. Please see our terms of service for more information.

Gold, Blue and Silver Star Families: A Primer