Donald Trump has crossed a line in attacking a Hispanic federal judge hearing the case against his Trump University, former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Pete Hoekstra tells
Newsmax TV.
"I don't think Donald Trump was accurate in his description of this judge," Hoekstra told "The Hard Line" host Ed Berliner. "While I don't know this judge personally, I think taking it to this level is the wrong direction to go, especially at this point in the campaign."
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Trump
has come under fire for saying U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel, who is set to hear the case against his Trump University, can't be fair to him because of his Mexican heritage.
Hoekstra said Trump's attacks on the judge are not about the presidential race, but "about Donald Trump's general view towards other groups. I think he's probably crossed the line."
Hoekstra said he agrees with former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who called Trump's words a mistake. "This is something I wish he had not done," Hoekstra said.
"It is exactly the wrong place to go," he said, adding that Trump has an agenda for a country governed by law that will appeal to Hispanics, Muslims and all Americans.
"Speak about the values that bring us together, don't go off on one of these tangents," Hoekstra said.
An apology would be the quickest way to have some damage control, but Trump isn't likely to do that, Hoekstra said. "What we know about Donald Trump is he does not do anything that conventional politics dictate that he would do."
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