House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) says he has “concerns” about both Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and his own party’s presidential nominee, Donald Trump.
“I think there are a number of national security folks who have concerns about what both candidates have said and done,” Thornberry told Hallie Jackson on MSNBC.
{mosads}”There’s lots of questions about what approach he would take with Syria and Iran and Russia and the rest,” Thornberry continued. “But the most important question, I think, is: What would you do specifically to strengthen the U.S. military?”
Asked if he personally had concerns about Trump’s abilities, Thornberry, who has not endorsed Trump, responded, “Sure, I’ve got concerns about what both candidates have said.”
Pressed about specifics, Thornberry said, “There have been a number of things both candidates have said that go against the consensus of opinion since World War II.
“It’s no surprise that much of the country has concerns about these two candidates.”
Thornberry’s comments also came hours after Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, refused to say whether he would have confidence in Trump as commander in chief.
Trump and Clinton are battling over national security issues as they look to pick up support from veterans and military members.
The two are also participating in a forum airing Wednesday night on NBC and MSNBC on those issues. The event in New York caps off a day where Trump hammered Clinton as “unstable” and “trigger happy” in a speech laying out his plans for building up the military.
The forum also comes days before the 9/11 anniversary and ahead of the first presidential debate later this month, when the two candidates will appear on stage together for the first time.