Military Mom Booed at Pence Rally for Asking About Trump's Remarks on Capt. Khan

She asked how he could "tolerate" Trump's disrespecting military families.

ByABC News
August 1, 2016, 10:11 PM

— -- Mike Pence just can't escape the controversy surrounding Donald Trump's critical remarks about the parents of fallen soldier Capt. Humayun Khan.

Taking questions from the audience at a rally in Carson City, Nevada, the Indiana governor was asked how he could "tolerate" Trump's disrespecting military families.

Catherine Byrne, who identified herself as a military mom, said, "Time and time again, Trump has disrespected our nation's armed forces and veterans, and his disrespect for Mr. Khan and his family is just an example of that," as the crowd started loudly booing. "Will there ever be a point in time when you're able to look Trump in the eye and tell him enough is enough? You have a son in the military. How do you tolerate his disrespect?"

Pence, whose father was a combat veteran, thanked her for the question and tried to quiet the room. "Folks — that's what freedom looks like, and that's what freedom sounds like, OK? It is," he said.

He went on to thank Byrne for her son's service, then essentially reiterated the statement he issued yesterday.

"As I said last night, as Donald Trump said Saturday night, Capt. Khan is an American hero, and we honor him and honor his family, as we do all Gold Star families in this country. We truly do. The story of Capt. Khan is an incredibly empowering story," he said, before listing some details of his military service.

Pence insisted his running mate would stand with the military, if elected.

"I have never spent time with someone more devoted to the armed forces of this country, more devoted to the families of our soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marine and Coast Guard and no one more devoted to the veterans in this country," he said of Trump.

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