US officials condemn Trump for insulting slain soldier's family

Donald Trump's confrontation with the parents of a slain Muslim American soldier drew condemnation from across the US political establishment Monday, including from leading figure's of the presidential hopeful's Republican Party.

In a thinly veiled attack on the billionaire businessman, President Barack Obama tore into those "trash-talking" the US military and disrespecting the families of fallen soldiers.

"As commander-in-chief, I'm pretty tired of some folks trash-talking America's military and troops," Obama told a Disabled American Veterans convention in Atlanta, Georgia.

Veteran Republican Senator John McCain also joined the chorus of condemnations, saying Trump did not have a licence to defame military families.

"While our party has bestowed upon him the nomination, it is not accompanied by unfettered licence to defame those who are the best among us," McCain said in a statement.

McCain - whose experience as a former prisoner of war Trump once put down - stopped short of withdrawing his endorsement of the Republican nominee, but said he could not "emphasize enough how strongly I disagree with his statement".

"It is time for Donald Trump to set the example for our country and the future of the Republican Party," he said.

The feud has dominated the US' news cycle ever since Pakistani immigrant Khizr Khan galvanised the Democratic National Convention last Thursday with a tribute to his dead son, Captain Humayun Khan. It it he rebuked the Republican nominee for having "sacrificed nothing" for the country.

Trump retorted by insinuating that Khan's wife, Ghazala, was not allowed to speak at the convention due to her Muslim faith, while some of his campaign aides attacked Mr Khan directly.

Trump retorted by insinuating that Khan's wife, Ghazala, was not allowed to speak at the convention due to her Muslim faith, while some of his campaign aides attacked Mr Khan directly.

Unequivocal condemnation also rained down from Republican House Armed Services Committee chairman Mac Thornberry, who said he is "dismayed at the attacks" on the Khans.

The top two Republicans in Congress released carefully crafted statements denouncing the remarks, although without mentioning the name of Trump, who has urged a ban on Muslims entering the country.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Sunday in the thick of the feud that "Captain Khan was an American hero".

"And as I have long made clear, I agree with the Khans and families across the country that a travel ban on all members of a religion is simply contrary to American values."

House Speaker Paul Ryan also said he rejects such a religious test.

Speaking of Captain Khan, Ryan said "his sacrifice - and that of Khizr and Ghazala Khan - should always be honoured. Period."

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton seized the opportunity to attack her rival by saying Trump's insulting rhetoric was "just beyond my comprehension".

"He has throughout the course of his campaign consistently insulted and demeaned individuals, groups of Americans, people around the world. And one doesn't know where the bottom is," Clinton told reporters in Ohio.

An unrepentant Trump wrote on Twitter Sunday: "I was viciously attacked by Mr. Khan at the Democratic Convention. Am I not allowed to respond? Hillary voted for the Iraq war, not me!"