Donald Trump Criticized For Suggesting 9/11 Attacks Could Have Been Avoided if He Had Been President

Donald Trump speaks during the 38th annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington in this February 10, 2011 file photo. | (Photo: Reuters/Joshua Roberts)

2016 presidential hopeful Donald Trump has recently suggested that if he had been president during the tragic 2001 World Trade Center attacks in New York City, he could have prevented the attack from taking place.

Trump made his comments in a recent interview with "Fox News Sunday" that his tough policy on undocumented immigrants may have prevented the massive 2001 terror attack that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.

"I am extremely, extremely tough on illegal immigration," Trump said on the talk show.

"I believe that if I were running things [...] I doubt that those people would have been in the country," he added, referencing the 19 extremist hijackers who crashed four passenger jetliners on September 11, 2001.

Trump has received criticism from some, including fellow 2016 presidential hopeful Jeb Bush, for his recent comments.

The real estate mogul went on to defend his comments in an interview with Fox News, saying: "The fact is we had the worst attack in the history of our country during his reign. Jeb (Bush) said we were safe during his reign. That wasn't true."

"And I'm not blaming anybody and I'm not blaming George Bush, although if you look at his three primary agencies, they hated each other, they weren't talking [...] And a good leader would've made sure that they would get along and talk and lots of other things happen," Trump added.

Former Florida Governor and 2016 presidential hopeful Jeb Bush tweeted a response to Trump's comments, writing: "Donald Trump's shameful attacks on my brother over 9/11 once again raise questions on whether he possesses the judgment to be president."