By Daniella Diaz CNN
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said he “bets” bombing suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami was probably not listed on a terror watch list because his family brought “a lot of litigation” against “different people.”
“The guy over the chicken stand brought litigation, a lot of litigation, against different people,” Trump told Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly in an interview set to air Monday. “I’ll bet you that’s why he was on no list. He was on no list they probably didn’t want to put him on because they didn’t want to get sued. They probably saw he was a litigious guy and they don’t want to get sued so they left him alone.”
Rahami, who is suspected in Saturday’s bombings in New York City and Seaside Park, New Jersey, was captured on Monday after a manhunt and shootout. He is also believed to be connected to pipe bombs found Sunday night in Elizabeth, New Jersey, sources told CNN.
Rahami’s family lives above First American Fried Chicken in Elizabeth, according to the city’s mayor, Chris Bollwage.
His family has a history of clashing with the community over the restaurant, which used to be open 24 hours a day.
Additionally, in 2011 the Rahami family alleged discrimination and harassment in a lawsuit filed against the city and its police department, arguing that officials conspired against them by subjecting them to citations for allegedly violating a city ordinance on hours of operation.
Trump added: “Who knows what the reason is.”
“But whatever the reason is, it’s no good. We have to end this,” he said.
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