In yet another controversial remarks, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said US generals under Obama administration have been "reduced to rubble" and suggested that he, if elected, would remove some top military officers to usher in a new upper echelon.
"I think under the leadership of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton; the generals have been reduced to rubble. They have been reduced to a point where it's embarrassing for our country," Trump alleged during a presidential candidate forum town hall organised by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.
Trump said this responding to a question on his remarks that he knows about ISIS more than the American generals.
"The generals under Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have not been successful," he said.
However, in a follow up question, Trump said he has full faith in the military.
"I have great faith in the military. I have great faith in certain of the commanders, certainly. But I have no faith in Hillary Clinton or the leadership. You look at what's happened. And, you know, when she comes in and starts saying, oh, I would have done this, I would have -- she's been there for 30 years. I mean, we need change. We have to have it, and we have to have it fast," Trump said.
Trump pledged to launch a new US military buildup, saying America was under threat like never before from foes like Islamist terrorists, North Korea and China.
Earlier, Trump had compared his business success to those who have sacrificed their lives in battle for their country, he had also criticised the parents of a slain Muslim soldier who had strongly denounced the real estate tycoon during the Democratic National Convention.
During Obama's first term, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton served as his Secretary of State.
The Democratic Party and the Clinton Campaign criticised Trump's remarks and claimed by saying so, Trump has "failed" the commander-in -chief test.
"Tonight, Donald Trump confirmed what we have known since the moment he declared his candidacy: he is dangerously unstable, temperamentally unfit, and totally unqualified to serve as Commander-in-Chief and President of the United States," the Democratic National Committee (DNC) said.
"It was abundantly clear tonight that Trump is in over his head and unprepared to deal with the complex challenges facing our nation and the world," said the DNC statement.
