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Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., speaks to media during a campaign event held at the Liberty House in Manchester, N.H., Tuesday, April 23, 2019 (AP Photo/Cheryl Senter)

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FILE -- In this Dec. 26, 2018 file photo, President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet members of the military at a hangar rally at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq. Iraq is seeking to reclaim a leadership role in the Arab world after decades of conflict. It is focusing on a centrist policy and its top leaders are determined to maintain good relations with both Iran and the United States. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)

Moulton, an Iraq War veteran, says Trump 'is not a patriot'

By Associated Press Washington, D.C.

PUBLISHED 2:48 PM ET May. 09, 2019

WASHINGTON (AP) — An Iraq War veteran who is running for president says President Donald Trump "is not a patriot."

Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton said Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union" that Trump's doctor lied to get him out of serving in the Vietnam War. Moulton said twice of Trump, "He's not a patriot." Moulton said the president "used his father's connections to get a doctor to lie about bone spurs, so he could stay home."

The president has never served in the military. He obtained several deferments to avoid going to Vietnam, including one attained with a physician's letter stating that he suffered from bone spurs in his feet. Moulton also said Trump's friendliness toward Russia and his criticism of the late Sen. John McCain disqualify the president as a patriot.