Trump advisor urges that Clinton be shot

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (left) and Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton gesture on separate occasions during their campaign. The US Secret Service is investigating a Trump advisor who reportedly said that Clinton should be shot. AP FILES

CLEVELAND, United States — The US Secret Service said Wednesday it was investigating a supporter and informal advisor to Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump after the man called for Hillary Clinton to be “shot for treason.”

Al Baldasaro, a New Hampshire state representative, told conservative talk radio host Jeffrey Kuhner on his Tuesday show that “Hillary Clinton should be put in the firing line and shot for treason.”

Baldasaro, a retired Marine, veteran of the first Gulf war and someone who has spoken publicly at Trump events, was speaking about Clinton’s handling, as secretary of state, of the 2012 attack on the US mission in Benghazi that left four Americans dead.

“This whole thing disgusts me,” said Baldasaro, who is known for his blunt style.

Secret Service spokesman Robert Hoback told AFP that the department “is aware of this matter and will conduct the appropriate investigation.”

The Trump campaign distanced itself from Baldasaro’s remarks.

“We do not agree” with the comments, Trump spokeswoman Hope Hicks said in a short statement.

Baldasaro has been an informal advisor to Trump on veterans affairs.

He addressed a news conference earlier this year when Trump invited him to help fend off criticism about his lack of transparency regarding funds raised for veterans charities.

Clinton’s campaign responded strongly.

“Donald Trump’s overtaking of the Republican Party — and his constant escalation of outrageous rhetoric — is in danger of mainstreaming the kind of hatred that has long been relegated to the fringes of American politics where it belongs,” Clinton communications director Jennifer Palmieri said, according to CNN.

“This week at the Republican convention, we’ve seen the clearest embodiment yet of this dangerous phenomenon.”