Donald Trump said Monday night that he believes Hillary Clinton will likely get away with her use of a private email server while she was secretary of state. But the GOP front-runner quickly revived the visibly disappointed Las Vegas audience by promising that as president, he would be sure to prosecute Clinton.
Fox News' Sean Hannity asked Trump in front of a live Nevada audience if his attorney general would go after Clinton should an investigation find she broke the law while serving in the Obama administration.
"I think you have to do that," Trump responded, delivering some of his strongest remarks against the Democrat since he entered the race last June.
The self-funded candidate criticized how the government has gone after other leaders like former CIA Director David Petraeus for lesser crimes, but has not followed suit against Clinton. Trump teased out the idea that Clinton is only running to avoid being prosecuted should Republicans win the White House in November.
"I think she's running a very important race, the most important race of her life, not just because of the president," Trump said.
The billionaire business mogul explained the statutes of limitations would still allow him to prosecute Clinton for any crimes she committed from 2009 to 2013.
But Trump said he wouldn't wait until January 2017 to begin his prosecution, motioning toward the summer and fall months as prime time for non-legal attacks on her, regardless of who wins the nomination.
"If I'm the nominee, this is not gonna be a subject that's gonna die down very easily," said Trump.
