Arizona Sen. John McCain issued a statement today in which he denounced Donald Trump’s remarks regarding the parents of a fallen Muslim U.S. soldier.
“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,” said McCain. “I cannot emphasize enough how deeply I disagree with Mr. Trump’s statement. I hope Americans understand that the remarks do not represent the views of our Republican Party, its officers, or candidates.”
McCain also said that while his party did give Trump the nomination, it was not a free pass to disrespect those who have served the country.
“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,” said McCain.
The GOP presidential candidate has come under fire after criticizing Ghazala and Khizr Khan, the parents of a fallen soldier who served in Iraq. After Mr. Khan took the stage to deliver an emotional speech at the Democratic Convention that rejected Trump’s proposed ban on Muslim immigration, the candidate suggested that Mrs. Khan’s silence during the speech was attributable to restrictions placed on her by her faith.
McCain served in the Vietnam War, where he was held captive for seven years. He was also criticized by Trump last year, when the candidate said that the senator was not a war hero because of his internment.
Read McCain’s full statement here.