Hillary Clinton Campaign Press Release - Veterans Denounce Trump's Lip Service, Disrespect Toward Those Who Have Served Our Country

Today, former Republican presidential nominee and war hero Sen. John McCain called on Donald Trump to apologize for his disdain for the brave men and women who have served our country. Echoing that call, more than 50 veterans released a joint statement urging Trump to start showing respect for veterans, including immediately donating the millions of dollars that he allegedly raised in their name months ago, which remain unaccounted for:

"Donald Trump recently discovered a new love for America's veterans, promising that a Trump administration will 'treat them really, really well.' Yet after a publicity stunt earlier this year when he ditched a GOP debate to hold an event on behalf of veterans, his campaignstill hasn't distributed more than half of the $6 million dollars it allegedly raised. Theydon't even know where that money has gone. And worse, this is part of a long pattern of the real Donald J. Trump, who for over a decade tried to get disabled veterans, legally operating as street vendors, thrown off of Fifth Avenue in New York City. Hesaid that these Americans, who were simply trying to earn a living in the country they gave so much to defend, were 'clogging and seriously downgrading the area.'"

"And yet, even as Donald Trump denigrates our nation's current veterans, he's putting our future veterans at risk with a risky and incoherent foreign policy. Republican andDemocratic national security professionals agree that a Trump administration would make America dangerously less safe while reducing its standing and influence in the world. His embrace of both military adventurism and isolationism, and his support of the use of torture will not only recklessly place our troops in harm's way, but will dramatically increase the risk to our service members serving in operations overseas. Trump's policies are detrimental to the young men and women who volunteer to serve this country, from the moment they join the armed services to the end of their career, civilian or military. He can't be trusted, by our veterans or anyone else."

"It's time for Donald Trump to stop using vets as political props, donate the rest of the money he raised and build a real understanding of the needs and concerns of the men and women who have served America."

Signers:

Former Senator Max Cleland, Captain, U.S. Army, 1965-1968

Congressman Ruben Gallego, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, 2000-2006

Congressman Seth Moulton, Captain, U.S. Marine Corps, 2001-2008

State Senator Pat Spearman, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army, 1977-2007

State Assemblyman Elliot Anderson, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 2001-2005

State Representative Hank Naughton, U.S. Army Reserves

Seamus P. Ahern, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, 2000-2006

Lee Beaulac, Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1966-1970

Patrick Bellon, Specialist, U.S. Army, 2002-2005

Charlie Brown, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Air Force, 1972-1998

William Bunch, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 1982-1988

Tahlia Burton, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 2008-2013

Laura Cabrera, Petty Officer 1st Class, U.S. Navy, 1998-2006

Robert Cain, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 2001-2007

Virgel  Cain, Petty Officer 2nd Class, U.S. Navy, 1963-1968

Jason Cain, Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, 2000-2010

Jane Campbell, Captain, U.S. Navy, 1990-2015

Kelsey Campbell, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Air Force, 2002-2009

Matthew J. Cary, Specialist, U.S. Army Reserve, 1969-1975

Asha Castleberry, Captain, U.S. Army, 2005-2015

Margaret Cope, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, 1981-2011

Carlos Del Toro, Commander, U.S. Navy, 1979-2004

Greg Douquet, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps, 1985-2015

Sean M. Easter, Sergeant, U.S. Army, 2002-2010

Thomas Fant, Seaman, U.S. Coast Guard, 1996-1998

Sonia Fernandez, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 1993-1996

Jonathan Freeman, Captain, U.S. Army, 2004-2008

Kristofer Goldsmith, Sergeant, U.S. Army, 2004-2007

Kia Thomas Hamel, Petty Officer 3rd Class, U.S. Navy, 1994-1998

Robert S. Hamer, Lieutenant, U.S. Navy, 2011-2016

Gail Harris, Captain, U.S. Navy, 1973-2001

Kate Hoit, Specialist, U.S. Army Reserve, 2001-2009

Keith Howard-Streicher, Specialist, U.S. Army, 2008-2011

Andrew Janiszewski, Captain, U.S. Air Force, 2006-2014

Tony Johnson, Lieutenant Junior Grade, U.S. Navy, 1994-1997

Brian Adam Jones, Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, 2009-2013

Peter James Kiernan, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 2007-2013

Hansen Mak, Captain, U.S. Army, 1996-2008

Alexander McCoy, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 2008-2013

Justin McFarlin, Captain, U.S. Army, 2005-2010

Jillian McNerney, Captain, U.S. Air Force, 2004-2012

Michael McNerney, Captain, U.S. Air Force, 2002-2006

Sua Peni Mene, Sergeant Major U.S. Army, 1988-2015

Rob Miller, Major, U.S. Marine Corps, 1995-2008

Tom Mullens, Petty Officer 3rd Class, U.S. Navy, 1971-1977

George A. Pivik, Colonel, U.S. Army, 1993-2013

Lawrence Ramos, Petty Officer 3rd Class, U.S. Navy, 1943-1952

Anne Jordan Rawley, Captain, U.S. Navy, 1966-1994

Dmitriy Redka, Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps, 1997-2005

Scott Rutter, Lt. Colonel, U.S. Army 1983-2003

Terron Simms II, Captain, U.S. Army, 2000-2005

Tommy Sowers, Major, U.S. Army, 1998-2009

Bobby J. Thornburg, Colonel, U.S. Army, 1968-2000

Adam Tiffen, U.S. Army, 2005-2008

Martin E. Torrey, Commander, U.S. Navy, 1972-1992

Shawn VanDiver, Petty Officer 1st Class, U.S. Navy, 2001-2013

Loren Voss, Captain, U.S. Air Force, 2008-2013

Patricia Webb, Colonel, U.S. Air Force, 1978-2011

Tony Woods, Captain, U.S. Army, 2003-2008

*These individuals are signing this letter in their individual capacities; their views do not reflect the views of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or any other agency.