"CPT Humayun Khan and I were in Iraq at the same time, and though I did not have the honor of knowing him, I personally know of the sacrifices he and his family have made for our country. Donald Trump using his sacrifice and his father’s speech to belittle them both for political gain is unacceptable. I join veterans across the country, republicans, independents, and democrats, in rejecting Donald Trump's pattern of disrespect towards those who have served our nation in uniform.
"Trump continuously calls our military “a disaster” and has insulted prisoners of war, like Senator John McCain, by saying that he prefers people who weren’t captured. Trump’s reckless rhetoric and lack of policy expertise hurts veterans and our military and, worst of all, makes America less safe. His reckless rhetoric is tearing our nation apart and recalls us back to the uglier parts of our history, when fear and ignorance ruled. "
"Rather than commend Mr. Khan and his family for their sacrifice and thank them for their patriotism, Trump belittled them in interviews and on Twitter. Suggesting that Mr. Khan has someone else write his speech for him and playing on stereotypes of Muslims by insinuating that Ghazala Khan wasn’t allowed to speak - when in fact she was just too grief stricken to speak. This behavior cannot stand. Divisive and shameful comments from someone who is trying to become Commander in Chief of this country should be swiftly denounced by leaders on both sides of the aisle, and by the American public."
"Attacking gold star parents, Khizr and Ghazala Khan, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country is an absolute slap in the face to every veteran, servicemember, and frankly every American who respects our uniformed men and women. That's not a leader. That's a petulant child. Donald Trump is unfit to lead our military and unfit to lead out country. Period."