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Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton Respond to Istanbul Airport Attack

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton have weighed in on the Istanbul terror attack.
Image: FILES-US-VOTE-POLLS
This combination of file photos shows Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on June 15, 2016 and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on June 13, 2016.DSK / AFP - Getty Images

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump both weighed in on the Istanbul terror attacks, offering a study in contrasts that highlights their differing approaches to foreign policy.

At least 36 people were killed and scores injured in the coordinated assault on Istanbul's busy Ataturk Airport. There has been no formal claim of responsibility, but officials have pointed the blame at ISIS.

Shortly after the attacks Trump took to Twitter to ask "will the world ever realize what is going on? So sad."

He later suggested fighting "fire with fire," telling a crowd in Ohio that "we have to fight so viciously and violently" against terrorists.

"Can you imagine them sitting around the table or wherever they're eating their dinner, talking about the Americans don't do waterboarding and yet we chop off heads?" he asked. "They probably think we're weak, we're stupid, we don't know what we're doing, we have no leadership. You know, you have to fight fire with fire."

It was unclear if Trump was advocating for the United States to allow the same kind of behaviors that ISIS and other terror groups employ. A request for clarification went unanswered by the Trump campaign.

Clinton, the presumptive Democratic nominee, responded to the attacks with a statement of solidarity that harkened back to her days as U.S. secretary of state.

"Terrorists have struck again in the heart of one of our NATO allies — and all Americans stand united with the people of Turkey against this campaign of hatred and violence," she said. "Today’s attack in Istanbul only strengthens our resolve to defeat the forces of terrorism and radical jihadism around the world."

She stressed the need for the U.S. to "deepen our cooperation with our allies and partners in the Middle East" to confront the threat of terrorism.

"Such cooperation is essential to protecting the homeland and keeping our country safe," Clinton said.