Donald Trump Praises Saddam Hussein
At a rally in Raleigh, NC on Tuesday, Donald Trump praised Saddam Hussein and called Iraq “Harvard for terrorism.” During Hussein’s reign, Iraq was listed as a state sponsor of terrorism, but Trump, as reported by CNN, pointed to Hussein’s handling of terrorists. Here’s what he had to say.
“He was a bad guy — really bad guy. But you know what? He did well? He killed terrorists. He did that so good. They didn’t read them the rights. They didn’t talk. They were terrorists. Over. Today, Iraq is Harvard for terrorism.”
Politicians from both the Republican party and the Democratic party were quick to criticize Donald Trump’s comments. House Speaker Paul Ryan appeared on The Kelly File on Fox News Tuesday night. Megan Kelly asked him if he had any thoughts on Donald Trump’s praise for Saddam Hussein.
“He was one the 20th century’s most evil people. He was up there. He committed mass genocide against his own people using chemical weapons.”
Hillary Clinton’s campaign came out with harsh criticism of Trump’s comments. Senior campaign adviser Jake Sullivan issued a statement. In that statement, they pointed to Donald Trump’s previous praise for Vladimir Putin and for Kim Jong Un and then said this about his comments about the Iraqi dictator.
“Trump’s praise for brutal strongmen seemingly knows no bounds… Trump yet again lauded Saddam Hussein as a great killer of terrorists, noting with approval that he never bothered to read anyone their rights… In reality, Hussein’s regime was a sponsor of terrorism — one that paid families of suicide bombers who attacked Israelis, among other crimes… Trump’s cavalier compliments for brutal dictators, and the twisted lessons he seems to have learned from their history, again demonstrate how dangerous he would be as commander-in-chief and how unworthy he is of the office he seeks.”
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Among other previous comments from Donald Trump about Middle Eastern dictators are statements that ISIS strongholds Libya and Iraq would be better off today if Saddam Hussein and Moammar Gadhafi were still in power.
This is not the first time that Donald Trump has expressed praise for Saddam Hussein’s handling of terrorism. As reported by NBC News, at a rally in Franklin, Tennessee, he complimented the dictator’s short trials of suspected terrorists that were quickly followed with a shooting of the suspect. At another rally, this one in Hilton Head, South Carolina in December, he made light of Hussein’s use of chemical weapons, saying it kept the region stable.
Donald Trump praises Saddam Hussein for killing terrorists ‘so good’ https://t.co/0OkSmW6KIv
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) July 6, 2016
Of note regarding Donald Trump’s latest praise for Saddam Hussein is the setting in which these comments were made. Trump has not yet announced his running mate, but word has it that a selection will be made soon. Among those believed to be under consideration for the position is Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker. Corker was campaigning with Donald Trump on Tuesday. It’s believed that it was a sort of “audition” for the vice-presidential position. He introduced Trump at the North Carolina rally.
Further reaction to Donald Trump’s latest praise of Saddam Hussein is sure to follow in coming days. His campaign is reportedly beginning to run low on cash. Historically, the political party with which a candidate is associated is a major resource of campaign funding, but because of his penchant for controversial comments, funding from members of the Republican party has not been as forthcoming as Donald Trump would like. This may cause him to have to do a great deal more personal funding than he had intended to do. Words of praise for Hussein will not help his relationship with fellow Republicans.
[Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images]
