Mike Pence: Captain Khan and his family 'should be cherished by every American'

Donald Trump's running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R), is praising both the family of Army Captain Humayun Khan and Trump's proposal to "suspend immigration from countries that have been compromised by terrorism."

"Donald Trump and I believe that Captain Humayun Khan is an American hero and his family, like all Gold Star families, should be cherished by every American," he said in a statement released Sunday. "Captain Khan gave his life to defend our country in the global war on terror. Due to the disastrous decisions of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, a once stable Middle East has now been overrun by ISIS. This must not stand."

Pence said in order to "reduce the likelihood that other American families will face the enduring heartbreak of the Khan family," Trump plans on "suspending immigration from countries that have been compromised by terrorism, rebuilding our military, defeating ISIS at its source, and projecting strength on the global stage." Since Khan's father, Khizr Khan, appeared at the Democratic National Convention and asked Trump if he's ever read the Constitution, the Republican presidential nominee has questioned if he wrote his own speech and said by having "tremendous success," he too has "sacrificed" for the United States.

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Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan both released statements Sunday that applauded Khan and his family without naming Trump. "Many Muslim Americans have served valiantly in our military, and made the ultimate sacrifice," Ryan said. "Captain Khan was one such brave example. His sacrifice — and that of Khizr and Ghazala Khan — should always be honored. Period."