Second U.S. Election Debate: Trump's Threat to Imprison Clinton if Elected

The second debate between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, the main candidates for the U.S. presidential election, took place on Sunday evening at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. Donald Trump threatened that if he wins the presidential election, he would imprison Hillary Clinton due to her use of a personal email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. The debate was overshadowed by a controversial video released two days prior, in which Trump used vulgar language about women and revealed his unsuccessful attempt to engage in sexual relations with a married woman. This video, from 2005, has been described by American media as one of the most contentious debates in U.S. presidential election history. The first question of the debate addressed the release of this controversial video. Trump responded that the content of the video was a private conversation in a locker room, and he apologized to his family and the American people, stating that we now face greater problems like ISIS. The moderator further asked Trump if he had ever kissed or groped a woman without consent. Trump replied that what was in the video was not something he was proud of and that he was ashamed of those words, asserting that he did not do those things and that the video contained only empty talk. Clinton responded by saying that Trump claims the video does not reflect his character, but based on what we have seen from him regarding women, it shows the real Trump. Nevertheless, Trump interrupted Clinton, saying that these are just words. Trump referenced Bill Clinton's history and the sexual assault allegations against him, stating that no one has acted against women in America like Bill Clinton. However, Clinton did not respond to the allegations against her husband, stating that she has never questioned the qualifications of other presidential candidates but believes Trump is not qualified for the presidency. Clinton further emphasized that if the issue was only about the video, it would not be a problem, but has Trump ever apologized to the family of a soldier killed in war? He has not apologized to a federal judge with Mexican parents for his insult. He has not apologized to a disabled reporter he insulted. He has not apologized to the president regarding his birthplace issue. Trump, regarding Clinton's use of email and personal server, said that if he becomes president, he would appoint a special prosecutor. He accused her of lying and deleting 30,000 emails after receiving a subpoena. Clinton responded, 'I’m glad there’s someone with Donald Trump’s temperament not in charge of the country.' Trump retorted, 'If I were, you would be in jail.' Clinton acknowledged her mistake regarding the email and personal server use, stating that there were no classified documents that could fall into the wrong hands. U.S. media noted that it has never been recorded that a presidential candidate has threatened to imprison another candidate. The moderator then asked about the situation in Syria and Russia's attacks on Aleppo, and what each candidate would do if they became president. Clinton stated that the situation in Syria is catastrophic, with Bashar al-Assad's government, Russia, and Iran killing people. She added that if she becomes president, she would establish a no-fly zone over Syria. The issue in Syria is not ISIS but the preservation of Bashar al-Assad, which is why she would be able to stand up to Russia, as Russia is fully engaged in war in Syria. Clinton added that she would not send military forces to Syria but would support the Kurds. Trump reacted to these statements by saying that Clinton is speaking seriously, but look at Syria; it is the result of her actions. Clinton interrupted Trump, stating that she was not Secretary of State during the Syrian conflict. Trump said that Libya is the result of Clinton's record. The Republican candidate continued that Russia kills ISIS, Iran kills ISIS, and Assad kills ISIS; we need forces to fight both. Assad is not fighting in Syria; rather, Iran and Russia are fighting in Syria. He continued that Clinton, John Kerry, and Barack Obama played a role in the Iran nuclear deal, which has empowered Iran. The moderator, however, addressed Mike Pence's views on Syria and asked Trump if there is a disagreement on this issue. The moderator referred to Pence's statements in the vice-presidential debate that if Russia continues its airstrikes in Syria, the U.S. must respond militarily. Trump replied that he has not spoken to Pence about Syria, but he disagrees with him. Trump emphasized that the issue today is ISIS, and we must address it. A citizen present at the debate asked about the use of Islamophobia against Muslims in America and how both candidates would resolve this issue after the election. Trump, referencing terrorist events in America and Paris, stated that to combat extremism, we must start by using the term radical Islamism, something Clinton is reluctant to say. However, the moderator later asked Trump if he has changed his position on banning Muslims. Trump responded that he is looking for a strict selection of Muslims who want to enter America. He added that Muslims coming from countries like Syria could be dangerous for the country. Clinton responded that we need Muslims to be our eyes and ears in the fight against radical jihadists, like the family of a soldier. The problem is not Islam, but radical jihadists. Regarding the entry of Muslims into America, Clinton stated that she would not allow anyone who could pose a danger to America to enter the country. At the end of the debate, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump shook hands, something they had avoided at the beginning of the debate.