COLUMBUS – Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says he wants the U.S. to engage in much more aggressive interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects and he doubled down on his claim that Muslims in New Jersey were seen celebrating after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Trump addressed a rally at the Greater Columbus Convention Center Monday evening.
He says he’d bring back waterboarding “in a heartbeat” because it is effective.
“And, you know what, if it doesn’t work, they deserve it anyway because of what they’re doing to us. But it works,” he told the crowd
Trump is also digging in his heels over claims that he saw thousands of Muslims celebrating the 9/11 attacks in Jersey City in the face of claims from other GOP candidates that the stories are false, or at least questionable.
He says he’s received hundreds of calls and tweets in recent days from people who told him they witnessed the scenes he described.
Trump also repeatedly mocked rival John Kasich while backers of the Ohio governor spent the day criticizing Trump.
Kasich allies made remarks in a conference call with reporters Monday ahead of Trump’s first campaign stop in Kasich’s home state.
State Sen. Peggy Lehner said voters seem to like blunt campaign talk but “brash statements on the international stage can be extremely costly.” She joined state Senate President Keith Faber and Congressman Pat Tiberi on the call.
Trump and Kasich have been feuding since last week, when New Day for America, a super PAC supporting Kasich, aired an ad attacking Trump’s lack of experience and Trump threatened to sue.
Responding to Trump’s statement that “we can’t have Hillary [Clinton] with all her corruption and all of her stuff. We can’t have it!” New Day For America spokesperson Connie Wehrkamp said: “Unfortunately, Trump isn’t willing to put his money where his mouth is. He might talk a big game, but Trump always puts his money first and that should scare Republican primary voters who can’t trust Trump.”