CLEVELAND — Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn gave a keynote speech at the Republican National Convention aimed at bolstering Donald Trump’s national security appeal and attacking Hillary Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee and former secretary of state.
“I have called on Hillary Clinton to drop out of the race because she put our nation’s security at risk with the careless use of a private server,” Flynn told Republican delegates, who chanted “lock her up!”
Flynn delivered a scathing critique of of the foreign policy and national security strategies employed by President Obama and Hillary Clinton.
“Now is the time for fresh, bold leadership,” Flynn said. “I promise you that Donald Trump knows that the primary role of the president is to keep us safe.”
Flynn also implored Americans to “get out there and vote,” for Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, warning them, “you cannot sit this one out.”
Flynn is one of the highest ranking national security experts to endorse Trump and was on his short list of candidates considered to serve as his running mate.
Flynn served as director of the Defense Intelligence Agency and held other high-level leadership positions in the military during the war in Iraq.
Flynn said Obama has been soft on terrorism and pre-occupied with political correctness.
He took aim at Obama’s recent directive opening the military to transgendered individuals, which drew criticism from some in the military.
“We must regain our ability to truly crush our enemies and our soldiers deserve to hear form our leaders with clarity and precision,” Flynn said. “Too often our troops are instead distracted by trivial matters. About what words to use, what terminology is politically correct and what bathroom door to open up. My god, war is not about bathrooms. War is not about political correctness or words that are meaningless. War is about winning.”
Flynn attacked Clinton over her use of a private email account and server using it to handle classified information.
Flynn said he would be in “jail today” for a far less significant infraction.
“We do not need a reckless president who believes she is above the law,” Flynn said, adding “Lock her up, that’s right,” after someone from the audience shouted out.
