VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Touting himself as a ‘‘law and order candidate,’’ Republican Donald Trump pledged Monday to crack down on Department of Veterans Affairs employees who fail to serve veterans.
It was the latest in a series of prepared speeches by Trump aimed at articulating his policy agenda for his general election campaign.
‘‘We made a promise to these heroes. You defend America, and America will defend you,’’ Trump said, adding that he would fire or discipline VA employees who ‘‘fail our veterans’’ or breach the public trust.
He also called for an expansion of programs that allow veterans to choose their doctor and clinics, regardless of whether they are VA facilities or private medical centers, and still receive government-paid medical care.
‘‘Never again will we allow a veteran to suffer or die waiting for the care they so richly deserve,’’ he said.
In his speech, Trump also addressed the killing of five police officers in Dallas during a protest against a pair of recent police shootings of black men.
‘‘America’s police and law enforcement personnel are what separates civilization from total chaos— and the destruction of our country as we know it,’’ he said. ‘‘It is time for the hostility against our police, and against all members of law enforcement, to end.’’
But he also made reference to the two black men killed in recent police shootings in Louisiana and Minnesota, saying they make clear that work ‘‘must be done to ensure every American feels that their safety is protected.’’
Trump also used the speech to assail his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton. He said Clinton’s decision to use a private e-mail server while serving as secretary of state was ‘‘willful, intentional, and unlawful.’’
In an interview, Trump said he is still weighing vice presidential choices and he will make a final decision by week’s end.
He said he has ‘‘four candidates that I think are terrific.’’
Trump was speaking in Virginia Beach, where he was joined by one of his short-listed contenders: Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey.
Trump would not confirm the names on the list, but they include former House speaker Newt Gingrich, and Governor Mike Pence of Indiana.
In the interview, Trump said his plan on veterans health care was not a way to privatize the VA, as some Democrats and veterans groups have warned.
‘‘What it is is a way of not allowing people to die waiting for doctors,’’ he said. ‘‘You have people dying while waiting in line for doctors. This is a way that we’re going to end that. They are dying because they can’t even get to see a doctor.’’
Trump offered few specifics beyond his 10-point plan, but he said he was confident it would save taxpayers money.
Asked how he would negotiate due-process laws that have made it difficult for the VA to fire employees accused of wrongdoing, Trump said that would be no problem.
‘‘We’re going to create a system where we get it done,’’ he said.
