Khizr And Ghazala Khan Denounce Trump's 'Selfish And Divisive Actions'

Khizr and Ghazala Khan, the parents of a Muslim service member killed in Iraq, denounced President Donald Trump’s “selfish and divisive actions” related to this week’s controversy of Trump’s comments on consoling the families of fallen troops.

It took Trump 12 days to publicly address the deaths of four Green Berets during an Oct. 4 ambush. When he finally spoke about the matter on Monday, he slammed his predecessors, including former President Barack Obama, for failing to call the forgotten families of fallen service members.

The Khans blasted Trump on Tuesday in a statement to ABC News, declaring that they “stand with the families in their moment of grief.”

Khizr and Ghazala Khan became household names in July 2016 after Khizr Khan delivered a stinging rebuke to then-presidential candidate Trump at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.

“Let me ask you, have you even read the U.S. Constitution? I will gladly lend you my copy,” Khan addressed Trump, before pulling a copy of the document from his pocket.

Trump subsequently attacked the Khans, implying that Ghazala Khan had not spoken at the convention due to the couple’s Islamic faith.

Khizr Khan, right, and Ghazala Khan appear at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016. Khizr Khan's speech sparked vociferous attacks from Donald Trump. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Khizr Khan, right, and Ghazala Khan appear at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016. Khizr Khan's speech sparked vociferous attacks from Donald Trump. (Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The comments sparked widespread denunciations of Trump for attacking Gold Star parents ― a term referring to the parents of fallen service members, which Trump was reportedly unfamiliar with beforehand. The Khans’ son Capt. Humayun S.M. Khan died serving in Iraq in 2004 while stopping a suicide bomber from entering a military base.

Khizr Khan went on to appear in a video advertisement for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. He is now helping raise money for Democratic candidates in Virginia, where he lives.

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 A man holds up a sign during a protest against racism gathered in front of the White House, on August 14, 2017 in Washington, DC.
 A man holds up a sign during a protest against racism gathered in front of the White House, on August 14, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.
Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.
Hundreds of protesters gather outside of Trump Tower.
Hundreds of protesters gather outside of Trump Tower.
A woman raises her fist at the front of a march down Washington Avenue to protest racism and the violence over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.
A woman raises her fist at the front of a march down Washington Avenue to protest racism and the violence over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival, August 14, 2017 in New York City. 
Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival, August 14, 2017 in New York City. 
Supporters of anti-Trump protestors hold up signs inside Trump Tower ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival, August 14, 2017 in New York City. 
Supporters of anti-Trump protestors hold up signs inside Trump Tower ahead of President Donald Trump's arrival, August 14, 2017 in New York City. 
Pedestrians walk past a 15-foot tall inflatable rat in the likeness of U.S. President Donald Trump at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street up the road from Trump Tower, August 14, 2017 in New York City. 
Pedestrians walk past a 15-foot tall inflatable rat in the likeness of U.S. President Donald Trump at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 59th Street up the road from Trump Tower, August 14, 2017 in New York City. 
A President Donald Trump supporter (left) argues with anti-Trump protesters as they gather outside of Trump Tower.
A President Donald Trump supporter (left) argues with anti-Trump protesters as they gather outside of Trump Tower.
Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.
Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue near Trump Tower.
Hundreds of protesters gather outside of Trump Tower.
Hundreds of protesters gather outside of Trump Tower.
Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue.
Protestors rally on Fifth Avenue.
 A man holds up a sign during a protest against racism in front of the White House. 
 A man holds up a sign during a protest against racism in front of the White House. 

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.