Hillary Clinton led destruction overseas, says Donald Trump

Washington, Sept 15: Donald Trump has called rival Hillary Clinton's record as secretary of state a "historic failure" as he held her responsible for "destruction overseas and poverty at home", making it clear that if elected he would reverse the policies and create a future "for all Americans."

The Republican presidential candidate was unrestrained in his criticism of Clinton, accusing her of raising millions "from her friends in Wall Street" as the national debt doubled and 14 million people left the labour force since 2009.

"The policies of Hillary Clinton have produced only destruction overseas and poverty at home," Trump said, adding that "there is no greater threat to Democracy than when a public official puts their office up for sale."

One in five American households do not have a single member in the labour force, the 70-year-old real-estate billionaire said at an election rally in Ohio on Wednesday.

"Hillary Clinton's record as secretary of state is one of historic failure. Just look at what she did to the Middle East – in Iraq, in Syria, in Libya. Not to mention her failures in Russia, China and North Korea. One failure after another – all while raising millions and millions from her friends in Wall Street," he said.

"The economic policies of Hillary Clinton – on trade, on the economy, on immigration – have devastated the inner cities of America. Her policies are the problem; we are offering the solution," Trump said.

"I am running to reverse these policies, and to create a future of prosperity for all Americans. My economic agenda can be summed up in three words: jobs, jobs, jobs. That begins with a new America-First trade policy," he said.

Trump attacked 68-year-old Clinton on her comments to his supporters. He said the Democratic presidential candidate calls people who aren't supporting her "deplorable and irredeemable."

"I call people who aren't supporting me American citizens who are entitled to the same respect as anyone else." Trump alleged Clinton's attacks on his supporters display the same sense of arrogance and entitlement that "led her to violate federal laws as secretary of state, hide and delete her emails, destroy her phones with a hammer, put classified information in the reach of our enemies," and sell government favors and access through her family foundation.

"Now the people who destroyed the emails are all pleading the fifth amendment in front of Congress," he said. Trump said he was not running to be the president of the world, but the US.

"I am running to be the President for all Americans, to represent all Americans, and to liberate our poorest citizens from crime and poverty and violence."

PTI