Late this past week, Hillary Clinton spoke with audiences at two major New England Colleges. First, on Thursday evening, Clinton spoke at a private, student and faculty only event on the campus of Wellesley College. As Clinton’s Alma Mater, the event focused on Clinton’s time at the school and her political career. Clinton spoke briefly and took questions from the audience. According to sources inside the room, Clinton was asked by one audience member about what she would have changed about her campaign. She responded simply, “I’d win.” Clinton graduated from Wellesley College in 1969 and is scheduled to give this year’s commencement address in May.
On Friday, Clinton took part in a series of “Fireside Chats” on the campus of Harvard University. Clinton’s appearance was part of the “American Secretaries of State Project: Diplomacy, Negotiation, and Statecraft” series sponsored by the Kennedy School, Law School, and Business School. She met with undergraduate members of the IOP’s Student Advisory Committee and a few lucky residents of Kirkland House. Clinton is the seventh former Secretary of State to take part in the series. Like the event at Wellesley College, it was closed to the public and press.
On Friday, Vice President Joe Biden campaigned in Madison, Wisconsin. During his speech, Biden explained the importance of electing Hillary Clinton as president and down ballot Democrats into office such as U.S. Senate candidate Russ Feingold. Biden spoke about Clinton’s platform including her plans to create jobs by investing in infrastructure and American manufacturing. He said that none of that will happen if we do not elect Democrats to the House and Senate. Biden also criticized Donald Trump for his divisive tone and how his slogan implies that America is not a great country. “It makes me so damn angry. Folks. You’re incredible. When I hear the best days of America are already behind us it makes realize how fundamental this divide is,” he said. Biden concluded by asking voters to support Clinton and Feingold on Tuesday. A video of the vice president’s speech is below.
President Barack Obama campaigned on behalf of Hillary Clinton and local Democrats in Florida on Thursday. His first event was in Miami where he spoke to a crowd on the campus of Florida International University. While he spoke about the importance of the election and why Clinton is the right person for the job, Obama also touched on the state of politics and urged everyone to not get discouraged. “I know a lot of you are cynical about politics. There’s a lot about this election that gives you reason to be. But I’m here to tell you, right now, you have a chance to move history in a better direction. You have a chance to reject divisive politics and mean-spirited politics. If we win Florida, we will win this election.” He urged everyone to take advantage of early voting or get out and vote on Tuesday. A video of the president’s speech is below.
Obama then traveled to Jacksonville where he spoke about the importance of electing local Democrats to the Senate and House in addition to Clinton as president. Obama spoke about he dangers of electing Donald Trump president saying, “This is someone who would do damage to our democracy.” He said that Clinton has devoted her life to helping families and children and her plans will build on the progress the country has made during his administration. He praised Clinton’s experience and leadership saying, “She will be smart and steady. What’s at stake in this election is the character of the nation.” He concluded the event by encouraging everyone to have a voice in this election and vote. A video from the event is below.
Americans deserve a president who’s ready on Day One to keep us safe. As a former Secretary of State and senator, Hillary Clinton brings vast experience to the Oval Office, having dealt with the key issues facing Americans around the world for decades. Traveling nearly a million miles as America’s top diplomat, Hillary has handled issues ranging from nuclear proliferation to military readiness, from women’s rights to climate change, and is ready to lead from day one.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, has proven himself again and again to be temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be President and Commander-in-Chief.
Beyond his lack of understanding of foreign policy and unwillingness to learn, Donald Trump is a loose cannon with dangerous views on major global issues. Trump would encourage the spread of nuclear weapons around the world, has insulted our allies and praised several authoritarian dictators. He even encouraged a foreign government to hack Americans, and since then has refused to acknowledge the U.S. Intelligence community’s conclusion that the Russian government has done just that.
Americans deserve a president who understands the challenging world in which we live, not one who is too erratic and uninformed to have control of nuclear weapons.
Throughout his career, and throughout this campaign, on subject after subject, Trump has proven he is unfit to be commander-in-chief. As we begin the final week of the presidential campaign, here is a look back at Trump’s dangerous record on matters of defense and foreign policy:
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
On nuclear weapons, Donald Trump has displayed a reckless disregard for fact and fails to understand the dangers of nuclear proliferation. Simply put, he doesn’t have the temperament to be trusted with the nuclear codes.
On the prospect of nuclear war in Asia, Trump said, “good luck, enjoy yourself folks.”
Trump’s rhetoric pushed dozens former nuclear launch officers to sign a letter saying Trump “should not have his finger on the button.”
U.S. MILITARY AND VETERANS
Trump has repeatedly insulted our military, our veterans and their families. He has been disrespecting our veterans for decades, continually proving he’s unqualified and temperamentally unfit to be commander-in-chief.
Trump attempted to kick disabled veterans off of Fifth Avenue over two decades, calling the situation “deplorable.”
U.S. INTELLIGENCE
Trump has disparaged the U.S. intelligence community – not only rejecting their conclusions, but questioning their motives.
When asked whether he trusts intelligence, Trump said “not so much.”
Trump invited a foreign government to commit cyber espionage in the U.S.
Trump maintains that we don’t know if Russia is behind recent hacks, despite being personally briefed by Republican Representative Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
Trump called the U.S. intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia was behind that hack was “public relations, frankly” and repeatedly denied their conclusion.
Trump has been accused by a former acting CIA director of being “an unwitting agent of Putin.”
AMERICA’S ALLIES
For decades, America has held strong alliances across the world – including those with NATO countries. NATO has stood with the United States, for example, invoking Article 5 after 9/11 and collaborating to fight the war on terror today. But on the campaign trail, Donald Trump has outlined plans to cut off America’s allies.
Trump accused NATO countries of ripping off the United States, saying “either they have to pay up… or they have to get out. And if it breaks up NATO, it breaks up NATO.”
Trump said NATO “may be obsolete” and “doesn’t really help us.”
Trump has extendedhis threats past NATO to countries like Japan and South Korea.
FOREIGN DICTATORS
Donald Trump seems to have an admiration for dictators from across the world. From Vladimir Putin to Saddam Hussein and beyond, Trump has repeatedly complimented foreign leaders known for their records of oppression and abuse..
Trump said North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un deserves “credit” for taking out his rivals and has “got to be pretty smart.”
Trump gave Saddam Hussein unduecredit, saying “he did one thing well, he killed terrorists.”
Trump believes that, during the Tiananmen Square massacre, the Chinese government showed “strength.”
Trump thinks Vladimir Putin is a better leader than President Obama, “saying in terms of leadership, he’s getting an A and our president is not doing so well.” (But of course, his praise for Putin doesn’t stop there.)
FOREIGN BUSINESS ENTANGLEMENTS
Trump’s extensive foreign dealings would present significant conflicts of interest and endanger our national security. Trump refuses to disclose the full extent of his foreign business entanglements – but without knowing the details of them, how will Americans know whose interests Trump is putting first? What we do know is concerning.
Trump admitted that if his business interests were threatened by another country’s government, he would retaliate with the power of the US government.
Trump has a record of business dealings with foreign governments – including Iran and China that we don’t know the extent of.
Trump has also had numerous foreign business partners we don’t know much about – including one that is allegedly linked to an international money laundering network.
Trump’s foreign entanglements would poseunprecedentedchallenges for U.S. foreign policy and national security.
ISIS
Despite Trump’s claims that he has a “secret” plan to defeat ISIS, he has no real plan at all. And his rhetoric is dangerously playing into terrorists’ hands.
Trump would “ask [his] generals” – the very same generals he believes he knows more than – for a plan to defeat ISIS, since he doesn’t currently have any plan at all.
Trump would continue to promote Russia’s brutal bombing campaign in Syria that is targeting civilians instead of ISIS.
Trump has suggested he would allow Syria to become a “free zone for ISIS.”
Trump would ban Muslims from entering the U.S., a policy that feeds radical jihadist propaganda.
Donald Trump’s approach to Iran is devoid of any substance. He has prefered to denigrate American leaders and spew lies when it comes to Iran — though he was willing to deal with Iran when it made him money.
Trump has peddled falsehoods about Iran’s ability to pursue a nuclear weapon.
Trump has been exposed as a lessor to Iranian bank linked to terrorism.
NORTH KOREA
Trump doesn’t understand the threat North Korea poses. On the campaign trail, Trump has taken positions that would endanger the security of the United States and our allies and embolden North Korea.
Trump would meet with Kim Jong-Un, despite his continued violations of international obligations to abandon his nuclear and missile programs.
Trump would open to door to nuclear proliferation in the region. When asked whether it’s “fine” for Japan and South Korea to get nuclear weapons, Trump said, “Can I be honest with you? It’s going to happen anyway.”
While Clinton has stood up to Russia, Trump panders to Putin. He has voiced support for policies and positions that align exactly with the Kremlin’s interests.
Ahead of the GOP convention, Trump’s campaign bucked fellow Republicans by maneuvering to ensure the party platform no longer calls for arming the Ukrainians, and then lied about it.
Trump announced he would meet with Putin prior to the start of his administration, if elected president.
SYRIA
To date, Donald Trump has not laid out any real plans with respect to Syria or offered any indication that he takes the conflict and humanitarian disaster seriously.
Trump raised the possibility of sending 20,000 – 30,000 U.S. ground troops to Syria and Iraq.
Trump praised and encouraged Russia’s brutal bombing campaign in Syria, despite the climbing total civilian casualties and attacks on U.S.-backed forces.
Senator Bernie Sanders campaigned on behalf of Hillary Clinton and local Democrats today in Reno, Nevada. During his speech, Sanders spoke about the importance of electing Clinton and rejecting the divisive rhetoric of Republican Donald Trump. He also spoke about the importance of voting local Democrats into office, especially the United States House and Senate. Sanders went after Trump on several occasions saying, “If we are going to take our country forward in a way that I think all of us know that we have to go, it is absolutely imperative that Donald Trump does not become president of the United States. I think that it is fair to say that based on character, based on policy there has never been in the modern history of this country or maybe the entire history of this country, a candidate less deserving of being elected than Donald Trump.” A video from the event will be posted when/if available.
In Tempe, Arizona, Chelsea Clinton campaigned on behalf of her mother on the campus of Arizona State University. She outlined Hillary’s experience working with foreign leaders and her history of bipartisanship as a Senator and Secretary of State. Chelsea spoke of the importance of compromise and rejected Trump’s vision of America saying, “There can be no common ground with bigotry. But we have to compromise where we can. I think we need that type of leadership.” She concluded by talking about the importance of voting on November 8th citing the close polls between Hillary and Trump in the typically Republican stronghold of Arizona. Watch a video of Chelsea’s speech below.
Meanwhile, two debate night fundraisers were held on behalf of Hillary for America. The first was in New York City and featured former Mayor David N. Dinkins and Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan. The second event was held in Newton, Massachusetts and was hosted by the Jewish Community for Hillary.
This morning, Hillary for America Campaign Manager Robby Mook highlighted Hillary for America’s unprecedented coordinated campaign efforts, to date totaling an over $100 million investment, and pointed out additional resources coming in the final weeks to help win Senate, House and governors races in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Arizona, Missouri and Indiana and states across the country.
On the call, Mook said, “Since the primary concluded, our campaign has been coordinating closely with U.S. Senate, House, Gubernatorial, and state races in the battleground states to build a coordinated campaign that leverages resources to help all candidates. We set up offices in all 50 states and have devoted intensive resources to 12 states and Maine and Nebraska’s second congressional districts.”
Mook announced new enhanced coordination efforts from Hillary for America:
An additional six million dollars in mail and digital advertising to get out the vote in the battleground states of Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Nevada, North Carolina, Iowa, New Hampshire. States with competitive Governor, Senate and House races.
An additional quarter million dollars in Nebraska and Maine’s second congressional districts.
An expanded television buy and direct mail and digital advertising program by over two million dollars in Arizona, where Donald Trump’s hateful rhetoric has opened new doors for the Democratic Party. Mook also announced that on Thursday, First Lady Michelle Obama will host an Early Vote rally in Phoenix. Days after Senator Bernie Sanders and Chelsea Clinton are in the state.
And a commitment to help Senate and Governor races in Indiana and Missouri with a million-dollar investment to turn Democrats out to vote.
Additionally, Mook pointed out the unprecedented commitment from the top of the ticket in support of down ballot races: the 455 offices in battleground states that are open and available to all Democratic candidates to reduce infrastructure cots; the fact that we have down ballot candidates’ names on phone and door scripts to cross-promote; and that we’ve included candidates in speaking programs for principal trips.
“Bottom line: Donald Trump’s erratic behavior and spiraling campaign have left the Republican party in a civil war…. With signs of high turnout across the country, Democrats have a historic opportunity to elect leaders who will partner with Hillary to create jobs and get incomes rising,” Mook said.
The campaign will continue to evaluate ground investment through Election Day.
On Monday, Tim Kaine campaigned in Florida beginning with a rally in Lakeland. During his speech, Kaine spoke about a number of Hillary Clinton’s platform points and about her personally. He framed her as a hard worker with supporters on both sides of the aisle saying, “Even when folks have been battling with her about stuff, she knows them. And in the Senate, which I know better than the House, there’s high regard for her work ethic, (and a view that) we can work together with her.” Kaine also spoke about tonight’s debate between Clinton and Republican Donald Trump saying he is anxious to see Trump answer for a number of his lies. A video from the event is below.
Kaine then traveled to Orlando where he attended a roundtable discussion with a group of Latino community leaders. During the event, Kaine spoke about the importance of Latino voters and urged them to register. He also spoke about Clinton’s proposals for immigration reform and how they are starkly different from those of Trump. “We should be a nation of immigrants and a nation of laws. Our focus shouldn’t be on deportation en masse, it should be on people who pose serious safety challenges,” he said. Kaine then listened as the community leaders and local residents expressed their concerns. A video from the event will be added when/if available.
A series of fundraisers were held today on behalf of Hillary for America. The first was a Disability Action for Hillary event in Washington, DC. The event featured a conversation with Eric H. Holder, Jr., 82nd Attorney General of the United States. A fundraiser in support of the Hillary Victory fund was held for American Citizens living in the Toronto, Canada area.
Hawaii Representative Mark Takai passed away today following his battle with cancer. He was a first term Congressman who had announced his intention to not seek re-election because of his health, but he planned to serve the remainder of his term. Rep. Takai passed away at his home at the age of 49. Hillary Clinton released a statement of condolence to his family and honored his pubic service. A copy of her statement is below.
“The loss of Congressman Mark Takai will be felt keenly from Washington to Honolulu. Mark was everything a public servant should be. He spent his entire life in service of his state and his country–from the Hawaii Army National Guard to the Hawaii State House to the House of Representatives–fighting to make sure veterans and their families are supported, supporting ambitious steps to protect his state and our planet from the perils of climate change, and championing the rights of Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Native Hawaiian communities. I am grateful to Mark for his friendship and deeply honored to have earned his support. My thoughts and prayers are with Mark’s family and friends, and especially with his wife Sami and his children Matthew and Kaila.”
On Thursday, FBI Director James Comey appeared before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to answer questions about the FBI’s investigation into Hillary Clinton’s email practices as Secretary of State. House Republicans grilled Comey on the details and the scope of the investigation. Comey explained that there was not a case against Clinton because the material that should have not been shared via email was not marked properly. He also denied claims that the Justice Department worked with Clinton and her allies to ensure no charges were leveled against her.
Hillary for America National Press Secretary Brian Fallon released the following statement regarding the Comey’s testimony:
“Despite the partisan motivations of this hearing, we are glad it took place and that Director Comey had the opportunity to expand upon his remarks from earlier this week. Director Comey’s testimony clearly knocked down a number of false Republican talking points and reconciled apparent contradictions between his previous remarks and Hillary Clinton’s public statements. The Director’s explanations shut the door on any remaining conspiracy theories once and for all. While Republicans may try to keep this issue alive, this hearing proved those efforts will only backfire.”
The House Select Committee on Benghazi concluded its multi-year investigation into the terrorist attack on the United States Diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. The attack resulted in the death of U.S. Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and U.S. Foreign Service Information Management Officer Sean Smith. After reviewing evidence and conducting countless interviews, the committee released its findings at the end of June.
There has been controversy surrounding the committee since its creation in 2014. Democrats have accused Republicans as using the attacks in Benghazi as a way to harm Hillary Clinton’s presidential aspirations. Its critics point to the endless investigations, many of which concluded before the committee was created in 2014. Because of this, the Republican majority and the Democratic minority of the committee have agreed on little. In fact, they even have separate websites covering the investigation. These divisions were made more apparent when Clinton testified for over 10 hours before the committee in October 2015.
On June 27, the minority members of the committee released their findings in a report led by Representative Elijah Cummings. In the report, the minority members focus on the way the committee has acted and the cost to tax payers for an investigation that ultimately yielded no new findings. They also complained that they were largely left out the process of writing the primary report that was released the next day. The report, which consists of 340 pages, is primarily a criticism of the handling of the investigation by the Republicans on the committee and their limited focus on Clinton.
The Republicans released their final report on June 28, a day after the Democrats. In 869 pages, the committee’s Republicans, led by Representative Trey Gowdy, harshly criticized the State Department, Defense Department, and CIA for failing to fully understand the situation that led to the attack in Benghazi. The report criticizes the delayed action by the Obama administration following the attacks. Overall, the committee failed to find any new evidence that changed the narrative of the attack nor could they prove that Clinton was in any way negligent. Instead, the report largely blames systemic issues for the poor response to the attack.
While the committee is responsible for discovering that Clinton used a private email server as Secretary of State, the findings of the committee largely echo that of an investigations conducted by the State Department in 2012 and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in 2013. During the Senate hearings in January 2013, Clinton accepted full responsibility for the State Department’s failures leading up to and following the attack. She also spoke about security funding that was cut by Congress arguing that those cuts have made United States diplomatic posts less secure around the world and she urged Congress to increase funding to ensure the safety of diplomats.
Since the release of the report early this week, Clinton has been asked for her thoughts. While she has not had much to say, she did offer a comment late this week saying, “I’ll leave it to others to characterize this report, but I think it’s pretty clear it’s time to move on.”
While many agree that it is time to move on, we want to ensure that the report, and every other report released on the Benghazi investigation are fully available to readers in the interest of full transparency. Therefore, we have gathered all the internal investigations and reports into the Benghazi attack into one place. Below, you will find a collection of websites for each the investigative committees as well as a collection of hearings and reports released by Congress and the State Department.
Hillary Clinton Speeches 