In light of Donald Trump’s relentless attacks this weekend on the parents of a fallen Muslim-American soldier, Capt. Humayun S. M. Khan, several prominent Republicans have spoken up on Twitter or through statements condemning their presidential nominee’s remarks.
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R)
This is so incredibly disrespectful of a family that endured the ultimate sacrifice for our country. https://t.co/TQcMuwXTKV
— Jeb Bush (@JebBush) July 31, 2016
Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO)
The Khans have made the greatest possible sacrifice for our country; they deserve to be heard and respected. -RB #MOSEN
— RoyBluntMO (@RoyBluntMO) August 1, 2016
Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ)
Well said, @SenJohnMcCain https://t.co/CPHyzHq29v
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) August 1, 2016
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
No one should criticize grieving parents who have lost a son in combat. Capt. Khan was an American hero.
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) July 31, 2016
Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-VA)
Captain Khan and his family should have the gratitude of every American of every race, color, and creed. https://t.co/fIQJwI54gE #VA10
— Barbara Comstock (@RepComstock) July 31, 2016
Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-AL)
“I reject that and I’m disappointed that he would say that,” he told CNN. “Donald Trump complimented him; he praised his son who gave his life for this country. Mr. Khan’s son served in the military, he did his duty and he gave his life for America and that deserves to be celebrated, absolutely. But I don’t think anybody that says that we ought to slow down and be more careful about bringing in immigrants from countries that have terrorist tendencies and can’t be vetted properly, I don’t believe that that’s a person that lacks a soul.”
Sen. Jeff Sessions: “I reject” Khizr Khan’s criticism of Trump https://t.co/PFhbe6mPDJ #CNNSOTU https://t.co/jH6rZjq41L
— CNN (@CNN) July 31, 2016
Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI)
“Captain Humayun Khan, and all the Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, deserve our deepest respect and gratitude,” he said in a statement. “I will always work to serve our nation’s service members and veterans, and honor those who gave their lives to defend our freedoms.”
Sen. Pat Toomey (R-PA)
Pat Toomey: “The Khan family … deserve our gratitude and honor. Anything else is inappropriate.”
— Erica Werner (@ericawerner) August 1, 2016
Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)
“There is no greater sacrifice than to lay down one’s life for their country, and that’s the sacrifice that Captain Humayun Khan made fighting to defend our freedom and our constitutional rights,” Ayotte said in a statement, according to BuzzFeed. “He was a true American hero. The Khan family deserves nothing less than our deepest support, respect, and gratitude, and they have every right to express themselves in any way they choose. I am appalled that Donald Trump would disparage them and that he had the gall to compare his own sacrifices to those of a Gold Star family.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
“This is going to a place where we’ve never gone before, to push back against the families of the fallen,” Graham said in a statement to ABC. “There used to be some things that were sacred in American politics – that you don’t do – like criticizing the parents of a fallen soldier even if they criticize you. If you’re going to be the leader of the free world, you have to be able to accept criticism. Mr. Trump can’t. The problem is, ‘unacceptable’ doesn’t even begin to describe it.”
Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
“Mr. Trump’s comments are not in line with my own beliefs about how the members of the military and their families should be treated,” Grassley told the AP.
Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC)
“Captain Khan is an American hero in every sense of the term and the Khans deserve our sincerest gratitude,” Burr told the AP.
Sen. Mark Kirk (R-IL)
“To Mr. Trump, I would simply say hands off Gold Star families,” Kirk told the AP.
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)
He told the AP that Trump’s criticism is “unfortunate.” He added that Khan and his parents are heroes, “and they have a First Amendment right to speak out on their politics, as all Americans do. Their son died for the Constitution and I honor that.”
