Trump: Clinton as secretary of state spread 'destruction and terrorism'

NEW YORK, June 22 (UPI) -- Donald Trump on Wednesday went on the offensive against Hillary Clinton, attacking everything from her economic policy to her record as secretary of state.

Trump's remarks in New York City were a direct reaction to Clinton's speech on Tuesday in which she attacked the real estate mogul and former reality television star's economic record.

He took his own turn at the podium Wednesday to highlight what he considers Clinton's failings.

"When I see the crumbling roads and bridges, or the dilapidated airports, or the factories moving overseas to Mexico -- or the other countries for that matter -- I know these problems can all be fixed -- but not by Hillary Clinton, only by me," Trump said. "The fact is we can come back bigger, and better and stronger than ever before: jobs, jobs, jobs."

The real estate mogul said the economic problems the United States faces cannot be fixed by the people who created the problems in a "rigged system" in the first place, suggesting Clinton played a part in the most recent economic recession. Trump also called for Sen. Bernie Sanders D-Vt., supporters to join the Trump "movement." One of Sanders' main campaign promises was to minimize the damage done by income inequality.

"I've always had a talent for building business and importantly for creating jobs, that's a talent our country desperately needs," Trump said. "I'm running for president to end the unfairness and to put you, the American worker, first. It's about time."

A CNN/ORC poll released Tuesday found U.S. voters believe Trump is better suited to "handle the economy" than Clinton. Those same people surveyed, though, would choose Clinton over Trump for the presidency.

Not for the first time, Trump characterized Clinton as a "world-class liar" whose connection to special interest means she would prioritize those interests above those of the American people.

"Here's my promise to the American voters: If I'm elected president, I will end the special interest monopoly in Washington, D.C., very important. The other candidate in this race has spent her entire life making money for special interest," Trump said, adding that "Clinton may be the most corrupt person ever to seek the presidency of the United States" and that special interests "totally own her."

Trump also spoke on foreign policy, slamming Clinton for the 2012 Benghazi, Libya, attack and the Iranian nuclear deal. He said she caused the Islamic State, also known as Daesh, ISIL and ISIS, to rise globally. He said Clinton "almost single-handedly" destabilized the Middle East.

"The Hillary Clinton foreign policy has cost thousands of lives; and trillions and trillions of dollars; and unleashed ISIS across the world. No secretary of state has been more wrong, more often and in more places than Hillary Clinton. Her decisions spread death, destruction and terrorism everywhere she touched," Trump said.

Trump characterized Clinton's tenure as state secretary as a "tryout for the presidency" that produced one deadly foreign policy disaster after another.

"She lacks the temperament and the judgment and the competence to lead our country. She should not be president under any circumstances," Trump said.