“Time and time again, Trump has disrespected our nation’s armed forces and veterans, and his disrespect for Mr. Khan and his family is just an example”, the woman said.
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Byrne, who according to NBC News is a Democrat, told MSNBC that she knew it would be fearless to mention the Khan family at that gathering, but that it was her opportunity “to ask the candidates candid questions that are important to me”, she said.
As the critical nature of her question became clear, the crowd began to react audibly, booing and shouting as Pence tried to respond.
“Folks that’s what freedom looks like and what freedom sounds like”, the IN governor said to a smattering of applause, adding that he has never spent time around someone who is “more devoted” to military and to veterans than Trump. After calling Capt. Khan an “American hero”, Pence told the audience that Trump is devoted to veterans.
In response, Trump said Kahn “viciously attacked” him and had “no right” to make those comments. Capt. Khan’s story made national news during the Democratic National Convention, where his father Khizr Khan spoke about his son’s service, and his own Muslim heritage in the face of Trump’s Islamaphobic platform.
Trump then criticized Captain Khan’s mother, Ghazala Khan, who appeared on stage at the convention but did not speak. Barbara Weisenthal said she booed Byrne because the Town Hall-style event was “probably not the best place to do that”. He has suggested that the likes of their son should not be allowed in the United States – to say nothing of entering its service.
“I thought he handled it really, really well”, she said.
“Captain Khan gave his life to defend our country in the global war on terror”.
The Indiana governor also continued to drive home his talking point that a Hillary Clinton presidency would simply be a third term for President Barack Obama.
The potential Vice President, however, also defended his running mate, stating that among the candidates for the 2016 presidential election, there is no one more dedicated to the armed forces than Donald Trump.
Pence, who an aide said has had “a good, longstanding relationship” with McCain, initiated the meeting with him in Phoenix prior to the release of Trump’s remarks on Tuesday. “He handled it the right way, the way I wish Trump would have”, she said.
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“If you’re a Republican and understand the issues, and those issues are important for you-then I think you ought to be on board”, Grand said.
