Donald Trump found himself in hot water again on Tuesday after making a comment about Second Amendment supporters that was interpreted as a threat of violence against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
“Hillary wants to abolish – essentially abolish the Second Amendment. By the way, if she gets to pick, if she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks,” Trump said. “Although the Second Amendment people, maybe there is, I don’t know,” he added.
While his comments were ambiguous, they did raise alarms as to whether Trump was threatening Clinton’s life or pushing for increased political activity.
Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook said, “This is simple – what Trump is saying is dangerous. A person seeking to be the President of the United States should not suggest violence in any way.”
Trump went on the defensive about his comment, stating that he was simply telling his supporters to use the power of their vote to prevent Clinton from restricting their Second Amendment rights and from appointing justices.
Jason Miller, senior communications adviser for Trump’s campaign, said the Republican nominee was talking about Second Amendment supporters being highly influential as a group.
Retired Gen. Michael Hayden, former CIA head, said on CNN, “If someone else had said that outside the hall, he’d be in the back of the police wagon now with the Secret Service questioning him.”
Clinton has never called for the abolition of the Second Amendment, but has called for stricter regulations and safety checks on firearms.
