The most dignified, damning indictment of Donald Trump at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia came from Khizr Khan, the father of an American Muslim Army captain who was killed in action in Iraq in 2006.
The DNC’s most powerful anti-Trump message came from the father of a fallen Muslim soldier
Libby Nelson was Vox’s editorial director, politics and policy, leading coverage of how government action and inaction shape American life. Libby has more than a decade of policy journalism experience, including at Inside Higher Ed and Politico. She joined Vox in 2014.
“Let me ask you, have you even read the United States Constitution?” Khan asked, revealing a copy from his jacket’s inner pocket. “I will gladly lend you my copy.”
He continued, addressing the Republican nominee: “Have you ever been to Arlington Cemetery? To look at the graves of brave patriots who died defending the United States of America? You will see all faiths, genders, and ethnicities. You have sacrificed nothing!”
Khan’s son, Humayun Khan, was 26 when he died. He was honored posthumously for heroism: In his final moments, he kept walking toward a car laden with explosives, signaling for it to stop, an action that officials said saved many lives. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
“Hillary Clinton was right when she called my son the best of America,” Khan said. “If it was up to Donald Trump, he never would have been in America.”
By Dylan Matthews
