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Home • Politics

This Happened: Donald Trump Threatens Hillary Clinton With Jail In Second Debate

Someone should tell Donald Trump that this is not how the presidency works.
This Happened: Donald Trump Threatens Hillary Clinton With Jail In Second Debate
PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
By Christina Coleman · Updated October 26, 2020
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Clinton fired at Trump, suggesting he doesn't have the temperament to lead. He didn't hesitate to respond: https://t.co/mU9aYhfaJJ #debate pic.twitter.com/UU8YXPxrWI

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 10, 2016

During the second presidential debate, eclipsed by Donald Trump’s lewd sexual assault comments, the GOP nominee threatened Hillary Clinton with a special investigation into her emails, saying he would put the former Secretary of State in jail if he were in charge.

While discussing Clinton’s private email server, Trump told the crowd he would instruct his attorney general to “look into her situation.” When Clinton responded that it was a good thing he was not in charge of the laws in this country, Trump responded with a scathing and legitimate threat.

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“Because you would be in jail,” the GOP candidate said as the crowd erupted.

Interestingly enough, while Trump’s comment might seem immature and not at all presidential, it is also terrifying considering that he believes he would hold this power if he were to become president.

That threat was not lost on viewers, who took to Twitter to express their disbelief.

The President just can't order a prosecution. The fact he doesn't understand that is scary.

— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) October 10, 2016

One American presidential nominee just told the world he'd jail the other. Every moment a new first for the modern era.

— David Folkenflik (@davidfolkenflik) October 10, 2016

He’s threatening her. This is historic.

— Touré (@Toure) October 10, 2016

This is a developing story.

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TOPICS:  Hillary Clinton