Mike Pence, Donald Trump's running mate, said Muslim-American Army Captain Humayun Khan is an "American hero," according to
Politico.
"Donald Trump and I believe that Captain Humayun Khan is an American hero and his family, like all Gold Star families, should be cherished by every American. Captain Khan gave his life to defend our country in the global war on terror," Pence said in a statement.
Khan died in an attack by a suicide bomber in 2004. A
conflict between Trump and Khan's father broke out after Khan's father criticized the GOP presidential nominee in a Democratic National Convention speech.
Pence addressed the fight against terrorism in his statement.
"By suspending immigration from countries that have been compromised by terrorism, rebuilding our military, defeating ISIS at its source and projecting strength on a global stage, we will reduce the likelihood that other American families will face the enduring heartbreak of the Khan family.
"Donald Trump will support our military and their families, and we will defeat the enemies of our freedom," Pence said.
During a CNN interview,
Khizr Khan said Trump was "unfit for the leadership of this beautiful country."
Gold Star families are the surviving family members of the U.S. armed forces who have died during war or periods of hostilities, according to the
Army's Gold Star Survivors site.
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