Hes a war hero because he was captured. I like people that werent captured. Hes a war hero because he was captured. Okay . After that, trump tried to cover his tracks saying captured or not all our soldiers are war heroes. Joining me live from the u. S. Open from iowa mark preston, the executive editor of cnn politics. He was speaking to a big crowd of social conservatives. We could hear some of the reaction. But you were there. What was that like . What did they say . What did they do . Reporter ive got to tell you what i think people were surprised by that exchange with donald trump and the moderator just a few hours ago. As we heard, the moderator came out and said he was a war hero which only further fueled trump to continue to be critical of john mccain specifically his service and as a pilot for the u. S. Navy and then of course being captured as a p. O. W. In the vietnam war. Now, trump after he left the stage, he tried to clean it up a little bit and this is what he had to say. John mccain has not done enough for the veterans in this country. Let me explain something. When john mccain called 15,000 people that showed up in phoenix, arizona, to talk about illegal immigration, he calls them a bunch of crazies, hes doing a great disservice to this country. You did not respect him because he was captured. No thats not excuse me. If a person is captured theyre a hero as far as im concerned, unless theyre a traitor like bergdahl. He was captured. Hes no hero. But you have to do other things also. I dont like the job that john mccain is doing in the senate. Because hes not taking care of our veterans. So there you have donald trump right there trying to talk his way out of what he said about john mccains service specifically his time as a p. O. W. The back story in all this is that john mccain and donald trump do not like each other. They have been involved in a bit of a war of words. Donald trump does criticize him when i say him, criticizes senator john mccain on the campaign trail. But i have to tell you, donald trump has made those comments and in just the last couple of hours he has come under withering criticism not only from democrats, but also republicans, several of them who are challenging him for the republican nomination. Jeb bush bobby jindal. Rick perry has said that donald trump should leave the race. Lindsey graham. John mccains best friend he too was critical. I want to talk more about that because you mentioned the other candidates who are on the republican side of all this. Really attacking trump. I want to read a couple of their comments because social media has lit up. Saying his attack on vet raps makes him unfit to be commander in chief from the armed forces. We also heard from ted cruz today. I want to listen to that. As you know ted cruz has been an ally of trump. John mccain is a friend of mine. I respect and admire him. He is an american war hero. In fact, a couple of years ago in what was the 40th anniversary of mccains release, i went to the senate floor to give a speech about what an incredible privilege it is to serve in the United States senate with a hero like john mccain. Not only did he sign up to defend our nation putting his life in harms way, but he was a p. O. W. , he was tortured and most incredibly john mccain was offered the opportunity for early release. He was offered the opportunity to go home. And he turned it down. Because he believed it would be dishonorable to accept that. Ill tell you, it is a true and humbling privilege to serve in the senate with an American Hero like john mccain. [ inaudible question ] you know, i recognize that folks in the press love to see republican on republican arguments. You want me to Say Something bad about trump or bad about john mccain or anyone else im not going to do it. I respect and admire him. And donald trump is a friend of mine. The rest of it you guys can throw rocks at republican candidates. Im not going to engage that. He does not denounce trumps comments. Reporter he is trying to say the media is trying to create a fire storm, but the bottom line is ted cruz did not denounce donald trump. Also ben carson was given several opportunities today as well ana, to denounce donald trump and called donald trump a hero when asked. There are a couple people who are walking this very delicate line. Thank you so much. Joining me now, the publisher of the federalist. Trump knows what to say trump failing to defend the border between his brain and his mouth. He really does say these things over and over again that have no filter. In an era of political inauthenticity. He was a little too honest in his own opinion. I think its interesting that ted cruz is unwilling to criticize in this situation. Everyone i think was in the Republican Party wants to see donald trump deported from this field as soon as possible. I also think that cruz and carson and several of the other candidates want to be there standing when trump inevitably leaves the race. They want to pull his supporters into their team as being more credible candidates for the candidacy. I think rick perrys challenge to trump is interesting as a veteran. Lindsey grahams as well. Were going to have to see these republicans stand up and be willing to criticize trump for what he is, which is a clown, an entertainer within a sea of people who are far more qualified for the presidency. Hes definitely no stranger to controversy and saying things that offend other people. He seems to be offending everybody these days from individuals to groups of people including latinos with the comments he made about mexican immigrant immigrants. This comment specifically about prisoners of war. About veterans taking a step further that you think its going to really change the game . When youre criticizing mexicans and immigrants within the Republican Party, the sad state of affairs is that theres a certain pocket of the Republican Party that hears that and responds to it. That agrees with it on some level. I think that when you start criticizing veterans particularly people like john mccain, who whatever you think of his policies is clearly a war hero and clearly endured all sorts of horrible things suffering for his nation. I think thats the sort of thing that for republicans, particularly talk radio republicans, that just goes too far even for them. I think the scary thing would be if donald trump after making these remarks still stays at the level that hes at within the polls, because i think that would Say Something about the Republican Base that would maybe be of concern for the national Republican Party in terms of what it says about what their priorities are going forward. The sooner that donald trump gets out of this race the sooner we can talk about the serious candidates and not the people who are just out there being blow hards. Whats it going to take for him to get out of the race . More than just the establishment, the moderates in the party, the people who share john mccains views, looking at him and saying he needs to get out. I think its going to take his own supporters saying look we may agree with you on these priorities. We may agree with you on these issues. But you actually would be better off outside of this field than in it. There are other candidates who can take up this message, this antiwashington message and run with it and have a better chance of success. In the current polls, theres no reason that he would do that. But i think his own supporters were part of the pemople who were gasping and that today gives me a little hope. You could hear a combination of maybe some nervous laughter but also some boos. Its an old joke. This joke about mccain being a war hero but not being one because he was captured. Al franken said it when he was on saturday night live. I think chris rock said it at some point. Thats fine for somebody whos a humorist. An entertainer. Exactly. Theres a different category when youre rung for president and people start taking you seriously. They start taking you seriously when you say comments like that. Thats why trump is experiencing the kind of backlash that he wouldnt if he was still in that entertainer category for most people. Is there a voice youll be listening to hear from the Republican Party that could really take a lead in terms of sending the message that represents the party as a whole . You know i think that it would be really interesting for me to see if rick perry got on the stage with donald trump in this first debate thats coming up. Hes on the edge. Hes on the bubble right now. But he is a veteran. Hes someone who speaks with authority. I think when it comes to military issues. And i think there are a lot of veterans who support him. I think that would be abn interesting scenario. Theyve already been butting heads on that point and on the border. I think seeing them go at it would be good for the party as a whole, in the sense that you cant beat back Donald Trumps arguments in order to win, i think that says something about you as a party and as a leader going forward. Thank you so much. Well be talking to you more throughout this hour. Thanks for your thoughts. We appreciate it. The shooting rampage in chattanooga just today claimed yet another life. We have new developments out of tennessee. Thats coming up. Plaque psoriasis. Isnt it time to let the real you shine through . Introducing otezla apremilast. Otezla is not an injection or a cream. Its a pill that treats plaque psoriasis differently. Some people who took otezla saw 75 clearer skin after 4 months. And otezlas prescribing information has no requirement for routine lab monitoring. Dont take otezla if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Otezla may increase the risk of depression. Tell your doctor if you have a history of depression or suicidal thoughts, or if these feelings develop. Some people taking otezla reported weight loss. Your doctor should monitor your weight and may stop treatment. Side effects may include diarrhea nausea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache. Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take and if youre pregnant or planning to be. Ask your doctor about otezla today. Otezla. Show more of you. [ horn honks melody ] well, well. If it isnt the belle of the ball. Gentlemen. You look well. Whats new, flo . Well, a name your price tool went missing last week. Name your what, now . It gives you Coverage Options based on your budget. I just hope whoever stole it knows that it only works at progressive. Com. So, you cant use it to just buy stuff . No. Im sorry, gustav. We have to go back to the pet store. [ gustav squawks ] hes gonna meet us there. The name your price tool. Still only at progressive. Com. [ female announcer ] traveling is stressful. But you can count on our 1,000 americas and canadas best value inns for room discounts, upgrades instant rewards, and a home town touch. New dwomtevelopments out of tennessee. The shooting rampage claimed another life. A sailor who was critically wounded died early this morning, becoming the fifth Service Member killed in the attack. Family members have identified him as Navy Petty OfficerRandall Smith. Boris sanchez is in chattanooga this afternoon where the community has been mourning the victims. Were hearing that petty officer smith actually saw the shooter and he died a hero. He tried to warn people around him. Reporter that report coming from Randall Smiths stepgrandmother. He tried to run away and warn others when he was shot three times in the abdomen. He went into surgery thursday night and he passed away last night. His grandmother says the family is in shock. They never expected him to be in any danger because he wasnt deployed to combat overseas. They thought he was safe here in chattanooga. Because he was never you know shipped over there anywhere where the fighting and all that was at. You think its not going to happen to your family. But by god, it can. It can happen anywhere. Were hearing that same sentiment from veterans at the memorial who served overseas. They could not believe that Something Like this would happen in a quiet town like chattanooga. This attack has raised questions about why troops at recruiting centers or these reserve offices arent allowed to have guns. The governor of florida just ordered all the National Guard personnel at storefront Recruitment Centers in his state to relocate to the nearest armory until security is improved at those centers. Weve also heard from the governors in texas in other places ordering National Guard units to now arm themselves. Is the pentagon taking a stance or doing anything to increase security for these members of the military . Reporter the pentagon deciding to close all Recruitment Centers within 40 miles of this one. Theyre also looking at steps to potentially do more to protect the men and women who work at these Recruitment Centers. You mentioned in louisiana, oklahoma, arkansas texas, and florida, theyre exploring ways to arm these men and women, because they believe had these men and women here been armed, they would have done a better job at defending themselves from this kind of attack. Were going to expand on that conversation. But i also want to get to apparently another friend of the gunman speaking out, saying he was shocked by the attack and the apparent gunmans connection to it. What is he saying . What are you hearing . He said that he had spoken to him recently and he didnt raise any red flags. Many of his friends came out saying the shooter was an allamerican guy someone who was an athlete, an engineering student. Someone who fit in and had a good sense of hearing. Not your typical shooter in many of these cases. People who were alienated or loners. But in this case his friend a fellow athlete, a fellow boxer says he didnt see any signs that Something Like this might happen. There were no red flags at all. Just a normal guy. Reporter and now investigators are combing through digital evidence looking at Text Messages emails, anything he might have had on his computers that might indicate he was influenced by a terrorist organization. Ana . All right, Boris Sanchez staying on top of the investigation live from chattanooga. Thanks so much. And the city of chattanooga coping with the aftermath now of this deadly terror attack. Mean while, investigators are trying to confirm the motive behind the gunmans actions. While, investigators are trying to confirm the motive behind the gunmans actions. Lets discuss further with the former fbi special agent in charge. Also with us casey jordan a cnn contributor criminologist and behavior analyst. Rick i want to start with you. Several states have now decided to arm their National Guard personnel. Is that going to make these places safer . Well, you would hope so. You would hope that that would serve as a deterrent. And its long overdue. I mean, you have these men and women in uniform who are highly trained, who understand weapons safety, and yet weve left them vulnerable at these recruiting centers. Especially after the threat isil has come out publicly and said if you cant come and join us in the caliphate and fight the infidel, fight them in america. Target the military personnel that live and serve our country. We dont know yet whether this individual abdulazeez, has any connection to any particular terrorist group. He doesnt seem to have much of a digital footprint. So what does it take for someone to be on the fbis radar . It could take a number of different things. This path to radicalization is getting more difficult in todays environment to uncover. Primarily because of the use of the internet. And not just the internet thats on the surface, but the dark web that you hear so much about. The encrypted sites that are difficult to get to and very difficult for Law Enforcement and intelligence communities to monitor. So people can work in an environment and go down this path to radicalization. But i know the investigation will focus on did he have a spiritual mentor a live person that helped him justify these horrific murderous acts, or did he get that justification through the internet through Electronic Media . Theyre also going to look very carefully at his travel to jordan. Theyre going to be working very closely with the jordanian authorities to determine who he met with in jordan what were his travel patterns, did he actually leave jordan. He had a couple of different names. He had the traditional family name and the name he was using here in america. Theyre going to look at that to try to determine did he bump up against somebody that could act as that spiritual mentor and give him the justification to do this horrendous and murderous act. As we continue to look at what kind of a person does it take to do Something Like this casey, i want to turn to you. So many of his friends, coaches, others who have known him have said nothing but positive things about him. But there are some signs in his past of maybe a darker side to his life. According to a 2009 divorce record, for example. A lot in there about him growing up in perhaps an abusive household that his father was extremely abusive to his mother and his siblings. Does that provide any clues . Well the petition indicated that she had been subject to physical, sexual emotional, verbal abuse, to the extent that she had sought sanctuary in a womens center. So you have to imagine it was pretty extreme if she was willing to leave her husband and her children and go to a shelter. She says that much of this abuse happened in front of the children as well. To me whats most important is that one month after filing these allegations, she withdrew them. To me that says everything. It means the control going on in that household trumped anything she was willing to put on a piece of paper. He probably made her retract that divorce petition. And that would have had a huge influence on the son. He was about 18 years old. Ready to graduate from high school. And i think it probably sent a message, we dont know if he was actually abused. I have to say Corporal Punishment is very common in middle eastern cultures. Its not uncommon. So for him to actually