Donald Trump told voters in Dallas, Texas on Thursday night that leaders in the U.S. have “given up” on fighting to eliminate the Islamic State terrorist organization.
Trump praised Bernie Sanders for refusing to exit the Democratic presidential race until the party hosts its convention next month, before shifting the conversation to current U.S. leaders.
“Can you believe this guy? He doesn’t give up. One thing you have to give him credit [for is] he doesn’t give up,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said of Sanders. “We could’ve used a guy like that four years ago that didn’t give up.”
He continued, “The problem with our country is we have leaders that give up. They give up on so many things.”
“They gave up on trade — we’re being just ripped left and right. They gave up on immigration. They gave up on so many things and it’s almost like they gave up on ISIS,” he claimed.
Trump again said,”If you think about it, they gave up on ISIS.”
The billionaire’s criticism comes days after he railed against President Obama’s counterterrorism strategy and refusal to use the phrase “radical Islam” in the wake of the Orlando shooting.
FBI officials believe the 29-year-old shooter who killed 49 individuals and injured 53 was self-radicalized, though he pledged allegiance to the Islamic State in a 911 phone call during the attack.
