Passed over for Trump's vice presidential pick, retired Army Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn delivered a fiery speech pushing Trump's candidacy and criticizing Hillary Clinton and President Obama, who appointed him to the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Pentagon's main spy service, in 2012.
"We are tired of Obama’s empty speeches and his misguided rhetoric," Flynn said. "This, this has caused the world to have no respect for America’s word, nor does it fear our might."
Flynn criticized "political correctness" and debates over transgender bathrooms.
"My God, war is not about bathrooms. War is not about political correctness or words that are meaningless. War is about winning.
"My message to you is very clear: Wake up, America! There is no substitute for American leadership and exceptionalism."
Flynn punctuated his speech by pausing to lead the crowd in chants of "U-S-A! U-S-A!" adding, "Get fired up! This is about our country."
The former Army intelligence officer left the Obama administration after clashing with top officials in 2014. Since then, he has publicly criticized the White House strategy for fighting militant groups.
Flynn’s views align closely with Trump’s attacks on Islam and the Republican presumptive presidential nominee's calls for barring Muslim immigrants from entering the U.S.
