Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on Monday condemned Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s comments toward the family of Capt. Humayun Khan.
{mosads}McCain, the 2008 GOP presidential nominee who Trump mocked last summer for being captured during the Vietnam War, said he hoped voters would realize that Trump’s comments did not reflect his party’s views.
“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,” McCain said in a statement.
“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.”
Khizr Khan, the father of Humayun Khan, who was killed in Iraq, gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention last week in which he criticized Trump’s call for a ban on Muslims entering the country and asked if he had read the Constitution.
The GOP nominee in various interviews and on Twitter criticized Khizr Khan and questioned why his wife did not speak at the Democratic convention, suggesting it might have something to do with her religion and perceived subservience of Muslim women.
Trump in another interview noted sacrifices he’d made in his business career and said Khan had no right to question his views on the Constitution.
The comments from Trump have been met with widespread criticism from political figures in both parties. GOP leaders in Congress have distanced themselves from the remarks.
In his 697-word statement, McCain talked about his own military service.
He said he grew up in a military family and has stayed engaged with the country’s armed services through his public career. He commended Humayun Khan for his service, calling him an “accomplished young man.”
McCain, who faces a difficult reelection bid in a state Trump easily won in the GOP primary, said Khan’s name will “live forever in American memory as an example of true American greatness.”
“I claim no moral superiority over Donald Trump. I have a long and well-known public and private record for which I will have to answer at the Final Judgment, and I repose my hope in the promise of mercy and the moderation of age. I challenge the nominee to set the example for what our country can and should represent,” the statement said.
“Arizona is watching. It is time for Donald Trump to set the example for our country and the future of the Republican Party. 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.”