When it comes to being offensive he sets the bar spectacularly high. But Donald Trump may have outdone himself this time, with his atrocious handling of the fallout with Khizr and Ghazala Khan. Everyone from President Obama downward has been lining up to express their outrage. The latest Trump row has even infuriated Republican Party stalwart and former presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain.
In a statement released Monday, McCain pulled absolutely no punches in lambasting Trump’s remarks and offering his support to the Khans, parents of U.S. Captain Humayun Khan who was killed on active service in Iraq. He led his impassioned statement with a blunt condemnation of Trump’s actions:
“In recent days, Donald Trump disparaged a fallen soldier’s parents. 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 cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump’s statement.”
His words may have even carried an undertone of official reprimand when he added:
“I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers, or candidates.”
The senator went on to pay a glowing tribute to Capt. Khan’s bravery:
“Captain Khan’s death in Iraq, on June 8th, 2004, was a shining example of the valor and bravery inculcated into our military … His name will live forever in American memory, as an example of true American greatness.”
He ended by offering warm words of support to Mr. and Mrs. Khan, who perhaps unwittingly sparked the furore at the Democratic Party convention last Thursday, by criticizing Trump’s stance on Muslim Americans. The senator addressed them:
“Lastly, I’d like to say to Mr. and Mrs. Khan: thank you for immigrating to America. We’re a better country because of you. And you are certainly right; your son was the best of America, and the memory of his sacrifice will make us a better nation—and he will never be forgotten.”
The senator stopped short of the nuclear option – withdrawing his support for Trump as the GOP nominee. But Trump may be well advised to heed the warning that was embedded in the statement:
“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.”
This is not the first time the two have crossed swords. Let’s flash back to July 2015 when Trump insulted McCain’s military service record:
Featured Image: Chris ‘Mojo’ Dembow via Creative Commons 2.0.
