In his first campaign event since five police officers were killed in Dallas last week, presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump said he would be the “law and order candidate” -- and his Democratic rival as the "weak" alternative.
"Hillary Clinton, on the other hand, is weak, ineffective, pandering and, as proven by her recent e-mail scandal which was an embarrassment not only to her, but to the entire nation as a whole, she's either a liar or grossly incompetent. One or the other. Or very simple. Personally, it's probably both,” Trump said addressing attendees.
Multiple times throughout his address, the New York billionaire threw out attacks at Clinton, some of which included new nicknames.
Trump Vetting Gen. Michael Flynn for Potential VP Pick Trump Mentions Police-Involved Shootings in Statement About Dallas"Hillary Clinton is the Secretary of the status quo. And wherever Hillary Clinton goes, corruption and scandal follow. Just look at her life,” Trump said, later referencing the now closed investigation by the US Justice Department.
"This was not just extreme carelessness with classified material, which is still totally disqualifying. This is calculated, deliberate, premeditated misconduct followed by a cover up followed by false statements and lies to congress, the media, and the American people,” Trump also said the presumptive Democratic nominee wouldn’t be able to pass a background check.
Trump opened his remarks paying tribute the lives lost in Dallas last week.
"The attack on our Dallas police is an attack on our country, our whole nation is in mourning and will be for a very long time.”
As has become common practice these last few days, a member of the short list to be Trump’s running mate introduced the real estate mogul – today was New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who set the tone for Mr. Trump’s address focusing on the Dallas attacks.
"I support Donald Trump and have for quite some time because I know that he will be the type of president who will put the rule of law first,” Christie said.
Trump’s speech was originally solely focused on veterans reform. His remarks almost identical to a speech he gave back in October just miles from where he was today, when he released his Veterans Reform plan.
Trump did call for the creation of a White House hotline saying it will "be answered by a real person."
"Actually a person, not a computer, that picks up a phone," Trump said. "And that’ll take place 24 hours a day to ensure that no valid complaint about the VA and its wrongdoing falls through the cracks. I will instruct my staff that if a valid complaint is not addressed that the issue be brought directly to me, and I will pick up the phone and fix it myself myself if I have to.”
Trump will campaign tomorrow in Indiana and is expected to be joined by another member of his potential running mate list, Governor Mike Pence.