Working as Donald Trump’s campaign manager is a little like walking behind the elephants at the circus: You’re always cleaning up. And so it is that Kellyanne Conway made the rounds of the morning shows on Tuesday to explain that the GOP presidential candidate was merely "channeling the frustrations of millions of Americans" when he said during the second presidential debate that if elected he would work to see her jailed.
"It wouldn't be up to him whether or not she goes to jail.That would have to be fully adjudicated through the regular channels like it would be for anyone else," Kellyanne Conway said on ABC's "Good Morning America."
Correct, however, Trump doesn’t seem to realize the presidency isn’t a perch from which you can use the law to punish your political opponents.
During Sunday’s debate Trump said:
"I didn’t think I’d say this and I’m going to say it and I hate to say it. … If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation because there has never been so many lies, so much deception...
… A very expensive process, so we're going to get a special prosecutor because people have been, their lives have been destroyed for doing one-fifth of what you've done. And it's a disgrace, and honestly, you ought to be ashamed.
CLINTON: Let me just talk about emails, because everything he just said is absolutely false. But I'm not surprised … It's just awfully good that someone with the temperament of Donald Trump is not in charge of the law of our country.
DT: Because you'd be in jail.
Conservatives want to stop people from voting on Election Day. Fight back against voter suppression by clicking here and signing up as a volunteer for Protect the Vote. Help make sure all Americans have the chance to cast their ballot.
His remarks sparked swift rebuke from those who’ve worked for past White House administrations.
“Winning candidates don’t threaten to put opponents in jail. Presidents don’t threaten prosecution of individuals. Trump is wrong on this,” said Ari Fleischer, former White House Press Secretary for President George W. Bush.
“Be afraid of any candidate who says he will order DOJ/FBI to act on his command,” said Eric Holder, who served as Attorney General under President Obama. “This is dangerous/so is @realDonaldTrump-he’s not qualified.”
“In the USA we do not threaten to jail political opponents. @realDonaldTrump said he would. He is promising to abuse the power of the office,” Holder
added.